Care fully considered

In our latest episode, we speak to Bhulla Beghal, a filmmaker and Carla Mellor, a poet.We discuss why empathy is a strength in storytelling, how best to bring out emotion in campaigning projects, and how carers can better share their stories.Our conversation covers how these award-winning storytellers immerse themselves in worlds they don't have personal experience of to powerfully extract the underlying truths within.You can see more of Bhulla's work here: https://www.bluebellfilms.co.uk/He's @bluebellfilms @bhullabeghal on instagram and you can follow him on LinkedIn in here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhullabeghal/Carla's work can be found @poetry_for_the_people on Instagram and her professional handle is @carlacreatesuk.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our latest episode, we speak to Taha Bokhari - lead analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation - to discuss their report exploring the care expectation gap. In our last conversation of 2025, we discuss why most people don't plan for their future, and why the majority of the British public significantly underestimate their future care needs or the fact they will likely have to provide care at some point in their lives. We cover why this gap in expectations versus reality is an issue, what we can all do to remedy it, and why taking time to project ourselves into the future could be beneficial to us all as a society. You can follow the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on LinkedIn and on Bluesky. You can also follow Taha on LinkedIn or Bluesky.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/ 

We have a very special guest for the first episode of season two...drumroll please...we're speaking to Sir Ed Davey! He is the Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, leader of the Liberal Democrats - and importantly for us - a carer and recent author of a book called ‘Why I care: And why care matters’.Our wide ranging conversation covers his ongoing carer journey, what it has taught him, and the concept of radical honesty in politics.We talk about why he doesn't like the term 'unpaid carer' and why he thinks a carer-centric strategy is crucial to improving the UK's National Health and Social Services.You can find his book here and follow him on all his social channels below:Xhttps://x.com/EdwardJDaveyhttps://x.com/LibDemsBlueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/eddavey.libdems.org.ukhttps://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5cb5baul4azrgk7rkkgyt64w Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/edwardjdavey/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/libdems/?hl=enTik Tok - Lib Demshttps://www.tiktok.com/@libdemsFor any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/ 

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered, we welcome Minreet Kaur and Sangeeta Bhabra, both journalists, to talk about caring’s PR problem.We discuss how unpaid carers are portrayed by the media, why some of it is problematic, and what we can do to improve the general public’s perception of unpaid carers and caring in general.We talk about why the press chooses to portray caring in certain ways, what the best format could be for more well-rounded representation, and how to move beyond the ‘misery Olympics’ we often see in campaigns and on TV.You can find Minreet at minreet_kaur on instagram, @minkaur5 on X, or Minreet Kaur on LinkedIn. Read her latest work here, here and here You can find Sangeeta on X @SangeetaITV. Read her latest work here. Watch her documentary here, and explore ITV News' podcast here. For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered, we welcome Ruth Patil, the development director of Carers Worldwide, an organisation working with unpaid family carers in the global South.We discuss Carers Worldwide's important work and how she combines influencing the lives of carers overseas with advocacy work on behalf of parent carers in the UK, while caring for her daughter who has Down Syndrome.We talk about how important it is to find the commonality in care no matter where in the world takes place, and their huge policy victory in getting a Carers Allowance program set up in the Indian state of Karnataka.*You can find out more about Carers Worldwide here: LINK (www.carersworldwide.org ) and subscribe to their newsletter here: (LINK https://carersworldwide.org/commit-to-carers?utm_source=emailsig&utm_medium=emailsig&utm_campaign=CommitToCarers )For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/ *Carers Worldwide are thrilled to share that since recording this episode, the Government of Karnataka, India, has extended the Carers Allowance to include unpaid carers of those with autism, intellectual disabilities, and complex disabilities such as deaf-blindness, bringing the disability categories included in the allowance to seven. This is another huge milestone for unpaid carers in India, and Carers Worldwide is committed to continuing their advocacy work so that Carers Allowance reaches more carers in more states across India.

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered, we welcome Rory Cellan Jones OBE, former BBC News technology correspondent, podcaster, and author.We discuss his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, why he chose to be open about it, and how he views his future needs for care.We talk about how care and progressive illnesses are portrayed in the media, how AI could help improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease, and how the arrival of a rescue dog from Romania changed his life.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/ You can find out more about Rory Cellan Jones hereYou can buy his books hereYou can also listen to his (excellent) podcast Movers and Shakers here

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered we welcome Cas Holmes, one of the UK’s most renowned textile artists and the author of several books.We discuss her care, clean, create practice, her illustrious career as an artist, and how her art has helped her cope with being a carer to her partner after he suffered a stroke. We talk about the power of being creative and how it helps make sense of the world around us. We also explore her use of the Japanese technique called Kintsugi, a traditional repair technique using gold, to show the value of the hardships we go through.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/ You can find out more about Cas Holmes, and buy her books here: https://casholmes.uk/ 

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered we speak to Mary-Ann Ochota, a broadcaster and author specialising in anthropology, archaeology, and social history.We discuss the role of care in human societies, past and present. Mary-Ann takes us on a journey, filled with fascinating examples, describing how caring for one another is a deeply human experience. We also talk about the importance of caring for our planet and the crucial importance of preserving our countryside.To learn more about Mary-Ann, check out her website here: https://www.maryannochota.com. You can also find her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/maryannochota/?hl=en-gbFor any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered we speak to Georgie Steele, a parent carer, storyteller, and theatre performer. We discuss the importance of storytelling and why her theatre show is inspired by a famous children's tale to highlight the ridiculousness of the social care system. We also talk about the importance of caring with a (usually dark) sense of humour, the difference between helpful help and unhelpful help, and the crucial need for the people we care for to have their own voices heard.To learn more about Georgie and her upcoming performances, check out her Instagram profile here: https://www.instagram.com/georgiestoryteller/ and her Facebook page here:https://www.facebook.com/georgiesteelestoryFor any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered we welcome Ruth Hannan, co-founder of Care Full, an organisation that brings together research, advocacy, and participation, to demonstrate what a new, care-centre future could look like.We discuss why our current social security system is outdated, and not designed for the realities of today's world. Why bold concepts are needed to create change, and the power of focusing on what good looks like when starting a care revolution! In this episode, Ruth offers us a glimpse into what a new economy and society could look like - one that would enable all of us to live well, no matter our background or circumstance. To learn more about Care Full , visit their website here: https://carefulleconomy.co.uk/ and check out their X profile here: https://x.com/caref_ll You can get in touch with them by emailing them at: [email protected] For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In this bonus episode, we speak to Lisa Reakes about her experience as a parent carer and her involvement in Dr. Siobhan O'Dwyer's research on parent carers' mental health struggles. We discuss her role in the study, what she learned from it and what changes she hopes it will bring. We also cover what life as a parent carer is like, her endless fight to get her daughter the help she needs, and the toll it has taken on her own health. For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/You can buy Lisa's book on being a parent carer here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/reflections-of-grief-a-parent-carer-story/lisa-reakes/9781739940843You can read Siobhan's research here and follow her on X here

*Trigger warning* This episode discusses research into suicidal thoughts experienced by parent carers. The content may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a support network if needed.In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered, we welcome Dr. Siobhan O’Dwyer to the podcast. She is associate professor in adult social care at the university of Birmingham.We discuss her research looking into suicidal thoughts and behaviours in parent carers and the shocking results she uncovered. This first-of-its-kind UK study reveals just how much parent carers are struggling in this lifelong role, and why they are a marginalised group in both the parent and carer communities.We talk about the struggle of coping when the love you have for your child simply is not enough, the ongoing battle every parent carer faces to get the help and support they need, and what needs to change policy-wise to provide desperately needed support.In lighter moments, we also talk about the therapeutic powers of guinea pigs and Australian reality TV shows.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/You can follow Siobhan on X here You can read Siobhan's research hereYou can find out more about the Parent Carer Wellbeing Study hereYou can visit the Samaritans website here. You can call 116 123 if you need immediate assistance.You can watch Married at First Sight - Australia here  You can watch the Guinea Pig Olympics here

In our latest episode of Care Fully Considered, we welcome John and Sophie Gaston, parent carers to their disabled son, entrepreneurs, and co-directors of ExamScreen, a tool designed to streamline the examination process in schools.If that wasn't enough, they are also the co-presenters of "The Exam Man" podcast. With over 40 years of combined experience in education, they share their journey of becoming parent carers and how this experience influenced their entrepreneurial path.We discuss how they transitioned from careers in education to launching their successful business. They discuss the challenges and rewards of balancing their roles as carers and business owners and they explain how their caregiving experience honed their skills in multitasking, prioritization, and resilience.John and Sophie share valuable advice for other carers who may be considering starting their own business. They emphasize the importance of leveraging the unique skills developed from caregiving and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from challenging circumstances.To learn more about John and Sophie Gaston, visit ExamScreen at examscreen.co.uk and check out their podcast, "The Exam Man," available on all major podcast platforms.For any inquiries or to suggest future guests, please email us at: [email protected]. Until next time!For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our second episode, we welcome Emily Kenway, a social justice researcher, campaigner and author of "Who Cares: The Hidden Crisis of Caregiving, and How We Solve It".We discuss the importance of defining unpaid care work, how being an unpaid carer can positively shape our personalities, and ways to sustainably incorporate caring into our society. We also discover why women are more likely to become carers, and how important families of choice are in society.To get in touch, email us at: [email protected] can find out more about Emily Kenway here: https://www.emilykenway.com/ and buy her book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Cares-Hidden-Crisis-Caregiving/dp/1472288483For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/

In our very first episode, we welcome the Guardian’s social policy editor Patrick Butler. We discuss his work on covering the carers allowance scandal. How he came across this story, where he sees it going, and how his work has changed his views on caring. We also talk about the UK’s attitude to social care, why carers aren’t heroes, and why it is crucial that carer’s share their story.To get in touch, email us at [email protected] Patrick Butler and Josh Halliday can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected] For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us on: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/ and to find out what being an unpaid carer is really like, read Laura’s blog here: https://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/