Life as a working carer - Hafsa's story

A series of blogs for #CarersWeek

Hafsa is a working carer. As well as a full time job, she helps care for her dad who has mental health problems alongside physical disabilities. Whilst her mum supports him in the home, Hafsa takes her dad to the supermarket and for walks, and gives emotional and physical support to him.

“I’ve always tried to do things with my dad rather than for him, and going shopping is a good example. Although there is a practical side to this, it brings many other benefits. It builds dad’s confidence and he can make spontaneous choices about what to buy to eat, and remember himself the things we’ve forgotten to put on the list!”

However, the restrictions of the pandemic have led to changes which have made life different for them both.

“I can’t take dad to the supermarket, because two adults can’t go in together. If I’ve forgotten something, I don’t always feel like going back because you never know how long it’s going to take to get in or how busy it will be. We haven’t been out for a walk for ages. I have to weigh up the risks of going out with him and potentially catching the virus against the benefits of exercise and fresh air. There are so many unknowns with the virus around, and we can’t do things spontaneously any more. I have to think things through so much more now. I find I have to make decisions on his behalf more now than I used to, which goes against how I normally support him. I’m trying to find ways to adapt but I’ve noticed changes in my dad in the past couple of months”

Hafsa is a Staff Nurse at LYPFT. Here she talks about her role as a Carer’s Champion alongside her caring role at home.