The experience of unpaid carers at Bede House

There are about 7 million unpaid carers in the UK, so one in 10 people in the UK has an unpaid caring responsibility of some form.

When people need help with their day to day living they often turn to their family and friends. In some cases, this isn't always possible. For the people of Bede House, it's those who volunteer their time helping others that assume the role of carers.

Whilst the role of on unpaid carer is vast, and can very much take a toll on on the livelihood and wellbeing of those caring, Carole, the Learning Disability Service Manager from Bede House, speaks about how the tremendous contribution their volunteers make to families has also helped build confidence and skills in themselves:

Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of the Bede Centre; without them, it would be far more difficult to put on all the activities that we do.

Volunteers sometimes start volunteering very unsure of themselves, they may have been out of work for many years due to childcare or illness and are now tentatively reaching out towards the world of work. Volunteering at the Bede Centre gives them the opportunity to build up their skills and strengths in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The centre can be fun and exciting and often volunteers have the opportunities to support our clients doing things they would not normally have the chance to do themselves, like art, drama or sailing – this helps them to build up their own confidence while at the same time, giving invaluable support to others.