[PODCAST MUSIC]

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[HOST VOICE]

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Hi!  And welcome to this series – Who Cares?  We are a collaboration between four students from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – otherwise known as Bandobast Theatre Collective, and Camden Carers – a service for improving the quality of life, health and wellbeing for all carers in the borough of Camden.

With the help of Claudia, Chris, Mekhled, Berni, Fionnuala and Jacky, we have compiled a series of episodes each using their creative content, and curated by us to hopefully celebrate the fact that there is no single story when it comes to carers – each person being a unique creative in their own right, with the only single narrative applicable being that each of these fantastic people is brimming to the top as an inspiration of love.

Each day, for the seven days of this Carers’ Week, we will be releasing another specially made episode.  Each one focusing on one person we’ve worked with for this project.

For episode 6, we have a special episode where our own Bandobast member, Samira talks about her experience as a person being cared for and speaks honestly with the persons caring for her – her parents.

In this episode, we celebrate the work of Camden Carers.  This group has been a safe space for carers for many years and has allowed unpaid carers to feel free – many of them expressing themselves through art – it has been a release for them.

In this episode you will hear a poem written by Mekled, alongside some stories about how Camden Carers has helped those unpaid carers that this series is all about. 

Thank you Mekhled for sharing your poem, and thank you Camden Carers for all the fantastic work they’re doing.  If this series has reached out to you in any way, and you wish to get in contact with Camden Carers, you can find their contact information at camdencarers.org.uk

In this episode, I’ve incorporated a poem written by Mekhled amongst other voices that speak of their experience with Camden Carers.

It was a mission and hope of Bandobast Theatre Collective to bring joy this Carers Week, and we felt these experiences did exactly that.

This episode is accompanied by some music and a report that was done a few years ago about the welfare of unpaid carers. 

Please enjoy this episode in this series – Who Cares?

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[SILENCE]

[BACKGROUND MUSIC]

[REPORT]

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Worrying new evidence has emerged on the struggles by unpaid carers looking after sick or disabled family members.  Revelations many are so cash-strapped that they themselves are missing out on meals and getting sick probably calls for better support from the government...

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[VOICE 1]

[POEM]

Behind you and me is nothing,

Behind you and me is killing,

That dark and sad like us,

Everywhere can find their dust,

 

[CARER 1]

I came here... probably at the lowest ebb of my life

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[VOICE 1]

Whatever we tried to do...all times – we are none and known,

Oh that my love,

do not kill my every breath,

I am the only,

Who will you save?

And there’s life and death

Behind you and me...the shadows,

Which stolen our dreams,

but our souls – still in

Love and passion

Behind you and me

Is nothing

Can hurt me more than

Not being with you

And is nothing

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[CARER 1]

Coming here really saved me

Erm...I first had a support worker who literally guided me through the process...er, and- and  advised me with the access of services.

All of those things really helped to get me back on my feet so that I could cope with my caring...er role.  Erm...and in doing so, that really helps me to be positive and supportive to my parents – those are the people that I care for.  Er...um and it uplifts them as well...and my own family as well.

 I also...um...love the art group here.  It’s helped me so much....erm... and it really just helps me to just be focused on what I’m feeling and getting it out, and then I let it go, so thank you so much so – I’m so grateful. 

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[CARER 2]

I’ve become a lot healthier.  I’m on the way to becoming an artiste...erm...I’m at quite a ripe old age I am.  I’ve started to really enjoy doing art, and I find that...er...Monday mornings are really special to me now, because it’s a community of people – and I don’t, I can just be there and totally be absorbed in my art with a group of people who are doing the same, and it’s an extraordinary experience of respite.  I can forget being a carer there...because it is a respite – a real respite in that,  I can...I’m totally absorbed in what I am doing...um... and what interests me.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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[CARER 3]

I discovered this incredible...service where I didn’t have to actually explain who I was – it wasn’t  actually about the cared-for person, it wasn’t about my daughter – it was about me!  And do you  know that’s first time I’ve actually been able to do that.

I joined the gym...um...for the first time – a very long time, met a lot of new people and I just felt for the first time I’m doing something for me, so I felt a better person because I was me again!  We have a voice and we can put something back in – so I love it – I love it here!

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[CARER 4]

Here I am in the centre, I’ve been introduced six months ago, and I feel so good that I can feel also...not perfect.  Er...I can be anxious, I can have some faults, and I get such a tremendous help from this centre – they give me strength, they gave me the ability to not to be embarrassed to feel that I’m doing the right things...I don’t have to hide anything.  He could - suddenly he could see the that I need to think about myself which never happened.  It’s A-MA-ZING what’s happened to my life. I feel that – you know - you’re not alone.  I could speak to somebody and it’s ok.

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[CARER 5]

...And I’m so so grateful!  For the first time in many years in my life, I was here with my son...we were dancing...so many friends – you know, it was awesome!  So I’m really, really grateful.

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[CARER 6]

It’s been a real journey for me, and...really my life has become a lot more stable, but I would say so has my family’s life.

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[CARER 7]

I’ve been introduced to lots of opportunities, and I’m even able to...do more...erm, you know... make more of a contribution to...to outside life, and find myself...um, more active in the community,    so that’s what’s happened to me.

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[CARER 6]

...And how my life has calmed completely...you know? 

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[CARER 8]

Because the first time, I was able to talk all the things I have inside me...I’m a carer but I’m still a human being.  We are a group of carers with different kind of er...disabilities we are dealing for. We...we are humans and we can enjoy life as well, and that is what I found in Camden Carers.

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[PAUSE]

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[CARER 5] I’m a carer but I’m still a human being. We...We are humans and we can enjoy life as well.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

[SILENCE]

[PODCAST MUSIC]

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Hi again!  I’m Taya, and you have been listening to Who Cares? A collaboration between us -  Bandobast Theatre Collective and Camden Carers.  In this episode, you have heard Mekhled’s poem alongside other voices of Camden Carer users.  This episode is accompanied by music, and a report that was done a few years ago, commenting on the wellbeing unpaid carers.  We hope you have enjoyed it and you will be tuning into the next episode hosted by myself – Taya, where we hear about Berni’s story.  Bye for now!

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[MUSIC FADES]

[End of Episode]