Living with Care: Pat’s Journey Outside Institutions (3:57)

Living with Care: Pat's Journey Outside Institutions

Living with Care: Pat’s Journey Outside Institutions

David talks about why live‑in care has been so good for Pat. Having the same carers for a long time means they feel like part of the family, which is very different from the more impersonal feel of a care home. At home, Pat’s life still feels normal, and she can stay connected to the people who visit her — something that often gets lost in care homes.

David also describes visiting care homes and noticing how little staff often know about the amazing lives residents have lived.

He ends by celebrating Pat’s life: her success as a children’s author, the honorary degree she received from Bath University, and the sadness that her illness now prevents her from knowing how much her work still matters.

Carers poor pay and working conditions (2:32)

Carers poor pay and working conditions

Carers poor pay and working conditions, as observed by Jac and Baz. Put people before profit

Jac and Baz highlight carers should be valued much more than they are. They note cares get poor pay, they are stretched and working conditions unfair. They give examples of staff not getting paid if an appointment is cancelled last minute and the travel difficulties staff have. Jac and Baz emphasise that carers should be valued much much more by the pay structure and how society views them.

Jac and Baz highlight that if carer were valued more through better pay, treated with respect and looked after more by the companies they work for they would be much happier and look forward to going to work. Baz notes that companies put too much value on profit and should think more about eh people they are looking after.

Interview with Norfolk County Council’s principle in charge Ian Wake (13:31)

Interview with Norfolk County Council's principle in charge Ian Wake

Interview with Norfolk County Council’s principle in charge Ian Wake

Here is a recent conversation with Norfolk County Council’s Director in charge of adult social care. We find out his vision and determination to centre in the human experience and how we work together as humans. 

Continuing Health Care – Coordinating a CHC Review (8:10)

Continuing Health Care – Coordinating a CHC Review

Continuing Health Care – Coordinating a CHC Review

David describes a frustrating phone call with Liaison Care. Liaison asked for lots of documents about his wife – her medication chart, care plans, and risk assessments – but dismissed the detailed care journal the speaker already keeps. The call was full of misunderstandings, and Liaison didn’t seem to know much about Pat’s condition (PCA – Posterior cortical atrophy) or the care agencies involved.

Attempts to link up with Nightingale Care and Complete Care were also messy, with wrong contact details and confusion about arranging meetings on Microsoft Teams. In the end, the David feels the approach isn’t working and that the whole process may need to start again. 

The Real Care Deal is about carers having enough time to care (3:57)

The Real Care Deal is about carers having enough time to care

The Real Care Deal is about carers having enough time to care

Jac and Baz reflect back what think a ‘Real Care Deal’ should mean. It would be about having enough carers, carers that have enough time for conversations and get to know the person they are caring for. Care being more personable and understanding.

Where people are more important than profit. Cares not under pressure the whole time rushing from care job to care job. This would enable people to feel more human and not a number. This would mean people recieving care look forward to being care for by happier friendly staff rather than dread who they will get or how miserable they may be. They refer to good experiences and the significant of impact this has on wellbeing.

Building relationships at the speed of trust (3:19)

Building relationships at the speed of trust

Building relationships at the speed of trust

Zena and Angela talk about the conditions that enable trust. Trust needs time, this becomes possible by removing the barriers to engagement and recognising the opportunities to form relationship rather than fill out forms.

From creating space for every cup of tea to be alongside someone without expectation of conversation, creating culture where staff and residents always share meal times, closing the office at 5.00 everyday to spending social time in the evening and knowing that it takes time.

They share a story of one gentleman who sat in the corner by themselves for months, didn’t share their name until one day they put their name on a volunteer list and is now a vibrant volunteer working 2 days a week.

Trying to Get Help for Mum: The Struggles of the Care System (6:35)

Trying to get help for mum

Trying to Get Help for Mum: The Struggles of the Care System

In this honest and powerful video, the speaker shares what it’s really like to try and get proper care for a vulnerable mother. They talk about how hard it was to get consistent, caring support from home care providers—and how emotionally draining the whole process was.

They open up about being unfairly labelled as “confrontational” simply for speaking up, and how some care providers were defensive and untrustworthy. The video also points out how poorly trained many carers are when it comes to handling sensitive and complex care needs. Throughout, there’s a strong message about how much families end up doing on their own, with very little help from care services.