Carer Success Story

Sue Pratt is a Carer for her husband Ted who has been experiencing some age related difficulties with his breathing and mobility.

As the couple were shopping they came across a stand for Derbyshire Carers Association in Carers week and agreed to have a visit.

The home visit helped with planning the support for them as a couple, they had a chance to be referred for help and support after a bespoke Carers Assessment.

Sue mentioned that her main hobby was photography, which she managed to pursue at a local community centre, this gives her time to relax and forget about her caring role. She enjoys the social side and learning more about taking great photographs.

Sue has been helped to get a Carers budget which has helped her to pursue her hobby and to have some time away from the pressures of caring. It is a hobby she can pick up while her husband is resting, for example she is able to tinker on the computer with the photographs she has taken.

On good days they have been out to visit local places of interest or the NEC photography exhibition.
Having the support from Derbyshire Carers group at Swadlincote has made them feel supported, and at a recent event at the group Sue took her camera along to take some pictures of the group which she has had framed.

She first came across Derbyshire Carers when she met one of our support workers Lisa on a stall in a supermarket, Lisa registered her with Derbyshire Carers and has done several visits to Sue with a view to seeing what help and support Sue needed.

As a result of these conversations Lisa determined that Sue has a lifelong passion for photography. Lisa helped sue to get a Carers budget to pay for photography related equipment and to enable her to do a course that runs near to her house.

Sue is grateful for the money and says that having a hobby helps her cope with the pressures of caring. When Ted has a rest Sue can tinker on the computer with her photographs which helps her day along.
When Ted is well enough he takes Sue out to places to do some photography including a trip to the NEC photograph event.

Sue now attends our support group and has used her skills in photography to photograph the group and produce some framed pictures for the group.