Community Interest Company
The Voices of Carers (Unpaid)
Meeting
We wish to meet all carers!
Storytelling
and
Photography
It is carers' time to be heard and seen!
Sharing
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Exhibitions
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Online
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With Carer Organisations
Meeting
We want to meet carers wherever they feel most comfortable - at home or out on a walk – any time that best suits them and their family. The carers are our focus, but we love to meet any other family members that are interested in joining in.
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At the moment, we are meeting carers that live in Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare
Storytelling
During meeting the carer, they can share anything they wish with us. Carina will sometimes ask questions but the conversation is predominantly led by the carer. Carina takes some notes (because her memory is shocking!) so when she sits at her small desk at home she can create a short story based on what has been said. This story is then shared with the carer and their family, which they can edit and change as they wish.
Photography
While Carina is chatting with the carer, Tina is taking lots of photographs. Tina will take pictures of everyday tasks so we can see what the caring role really looks like. We then ask if they would like a family portrait. Back at home, in the company of her cheese plant, Tina goes through the photos and picks the best. The carer is given printed and digital copies of these pictures. We then agree together which they are happy to share.
Sharing
Once the story and the photographs are agreed upon by the carer we want to share them with anyone that will listen! We know that carers are truly amazing individuals. Each story so far, told in words and pictures, has been incredibly powerful. We want to teach the public that this invisible army are working day and night with little or no support, keeping the person they care for healthy, happy, and safe.
We are always looking for opportunities to shout about unpaid carers!
We are looking at touring our exhibition!
We are offering an exhibition consisting of 48 (and counting) carers’ stories documented in photographs and written words.
Each carers story is made up of 3 photographs and approximately 500 words, all printed on 12x18inch PVC boards, which can be hung on exhibition panels. This also comes with 8 larger prints 16x24inch, 6 descriptive panels and an audio version of the stories.
The stories include young carers, co-caring, BME, LGBTQA+, males/females, the elderly and a range of disabilities being cared for, aiming to show a true representation of the caring community. We want to make as many people as possible aware of the fantastic job carers do, often behind closed doors.
We hope to collect more stories - funding dependent.
If you know somewhere we could approach or you wish to have this exhibition in your area, please get in touch and we can arrange a meeting for you to ask questions and learn more about this unique opportunity.
Helle
“In the morning when I wake Johanna, I take a moment to truly connect with her. I look deep into her eyes. This I believe starts the day right, us connected to achieve the day together.”
Callum
His mother - who he had spent every moment of the day with for five years - had now died: who was he now? Who could he turn to? What would he do now? What was the purpose of his life?
Diane
“It was easier for me to move in than for other family members”, Diane stated when questioned what she meant by “easier”, Diane responded: “Well logistically, as I don’t have any children”. Emotionally she went on to explain that she did not actually feel ready to leave her life in the USA, but things just snowballed and her parents needed her.
Daisy
In a little room full of treasures, including many plants, Daisy feels safe and relaxed, finding time for herself. Daisy laughs about how her plants provide the oxygen she needs when she can't leave the house because her mum needs her nearby.
