Ethical Vision Archives

Navigating Challenges: Technology, Mental Health, and Personal Journeys (5:13)

These adults describe how conflict and crowded public places trigger intense anxiety, making it feel as if people are swarming towards them, though they stress it is not others’ fault and they no longer apologise for their mental health.

They say technology has reduced communication, listening, eye contact and interaction, and has also created fear.

They live with good and bad days and also have PTSD from spending two years in a war zone in Sri Lanka during a previous, abusive marriage, eventually being extracted by the embassy.

They feel depressed about being pushed towards online services as banks close, fearing scams and struggling with computers, self-scan checkouts and cash machines, though they are proud of gradually learning to text and use an indoor ATM.

They feel people are too busy to teach them.

Breaking Free: A Journey from a 30-Year Abusive Marriage (4:13)

A woman describes enduring a controlling, abusive marriage for 30 years, isolated from family and friends and unable to seek help.

Overwhelmed, she once stood in the road hoping a bus would kill her, and was later kept in a closed ward for three months for her safety.

She was forced to leave her beloved bungalow and gardening after a psychiatrist warned her she could not return because her husband might kill her.

An abuse worker supported her for two years, teaching her basic independence such as using a phone, but then moved to Australia, leaving her to navigate a difficult divorce alone.

Now 81, she says many women her age stay and endure abuse, struggles to make friends, and finds her main support through a local Catholic church, where she has gained confidence to read from the pulpit.

Journey Through Inner Conflict: A Tale of Strength (2:18)

This autistic adult explains that friends, including Christine and others at the Steam House, help them cope, and they try to join activities to get out of the flat, which can feel emotionally suffocating and trigger pacing and intrusive thoughts.

They still have bad thoughts and talk about wanting to see their mum and dad but not doing it, continuing because they feel they still have life to live.

They describe being mentally unstable but physically “okay-ish”, swinging between happiness and sadness due to memories and a sense of loss.

They become paranoid about losing friends and worry about what will happen if their current place closes, recognising a conflict between anxious thoughts and logic.

They call it constant inner turmoil and mental tiredness from fighting through each day.

Inside Gorleston: A retired carer’s perspective on Care Work and Mental Health (1:30)

A retired carer discusses how care work affects mental health, with one person saying they rely on drugs and beta blockers to cope with anxiety attacks.

It suggests many care workers likely use mental health medication because society does not treat them well, and the resulting pressure cannot simply be overcome with mindfulness.

The speakers argue that care is an intense job and would be improved by regular breaks, such as a 15-minute break every two hours away from the floor, though this is not feasible with current staffing levels.

They emphasise the need for time and space to process difficult incidents, reflect on practice, and receive support, warning that if carers are not cared for, good care will suffer.

Transforming Care Home Culture – Insights from retired Carer (1:37)

A retired carer states that many care homes are too large, with 30–80 residents, creating noisy, impersonal and stressful environments for both residents and staff.

They criticise the current model as profit-driven, focused on maximising bed space and occupancy, rather than supporting wellbeing.

They suggest society should move towards small, person-centred homes with fewer people and a calm, quiet, therapeutic atmosphere.

They believe this would reduce stress and so-called challenging behaviour, improve residents’ health and enjoyment of life, and lead to more relaxed staff with less sick leave.

An enjoyable life is described as having autonomy, control and personal choice, with less institutional routine and more flexibility around daily activities such as meals.

Underpaid and Undervalued: The Reality of Socially Useful Jobs (1:40)

This retired carer from Gorleston reflects on what motivates people to continue in socially useful work, noting that such jobs are often among the lowest paid.

He argues that social reproductive labour is treated as private work done in the home, mostly by women, and is essential to how society and capitalism function.

Because it is seen as something done out of love rather than professional labour, it is not properly valued or paid accordingly.

Beyond Capturing Data (0:45)

The speaker says efforts often stop at collecting information and then get pushed into long timelines of five to ten years, with no real change even after a decade, as they were told in Winterbourne.

They express anger that councils take so long to act and argue this is no longer acceptable, insisting changes should happen within weeks or months, not over several years.

10 years in the care of MH services (4:26)

Nonnie describes their 10 years of MH services and support, changing GP serivces, 4 hospital stays, private, public and section 136.

Nonnie is very clear about what works for them, how beneficial the low stimulus environment of the institutions and how to make that work for them.

Where the power lies, with the care company or adult social care. (6:55)

This carer talks about her experiences of being carer for her mum, and the interactions with social care, care staff and the care provider.

She reflects on where the power lies, and how the provider can withdraw support at any time.

And the pain of being told she was confrontational when trying to get the best for her mum.

She talks openly about the impact of being a carer, while trying to ensure her mum has the best care at home.

Glenn – Experiences of Homecare in Norfolk (4:35)

Glenn shares his experiences of living with Parkinsons “the gift that keeps on giving”, wanting to maintain his independence, and not wanting to accept help.

Glenn describes how the carers sometimes feel put out because he wants to do stuff for himself.

Glenn also describes how the decision to have care and support was right when it happens, alongsdie the challenges of having to adapt to different people coming into his home, and manage the uncertainty when people come in and find him ‘frozen’.

Glenn describes having to stay calm and confident and not get agitated when being supported. The gradual build of care has been good for Glenn, and the way this has been managed.

“Sometimes the carers come and say to me we havent done much, but I say you have helped me with what you have done, and not only that – the level of communication, I havent seen anybody all day and sometimes its quite isolating being by yuorself – being stuck in these 4 walls year in year out!”