“I find as my sons get older, it gets harder.”
This is Carol. She’s 58, lives in Prenton and is an unpaid carer who, along with her husband Ryan, cares for her twin sons, David and Peter. David and Peter are 24, they have complex learning difficulties and autism and need support with daily tasks 24/7.
Ahead of Carers Week 2025, we caught up with Carol to hear more about her story. Carol said:
The boys are amazing and I am so proud of them. But I’d be lying if I said things weren’t difficult. They require support with all aspects of daily living and constant supervision to stay safe.
The theme for Carers Week 2025 is Caring About Equality. Carers can be at a greater risk of poor mental and physical health, social isolation, financial hardship and more.
Speaking about what the reality of being a carer is like, Carol said:
I find as my sons get older, it gets harder. They’re at college now. It’s fabulous and wonderful. But college will end in June, they go back for their last year in September. As they get older their life will get harder. The caring role is relentless. As adults they’re very vulnerable. We still get some respite currently, but it’s difficult for me as nobody is getting any younger.
Speaking of social isolation, Carol shared that:
It’s exhausting and at times I feel I’ve disappeared. You can lose your sense of self when everybody else needs everything all of the time. We have friends and family, but their lives move on while ours can be a bit ‘Groundhog Day’. With the demands of caring for two essentially six-foot-tall toddlers, you can easily drift from people.
Carers can also miss out on opportunities in their education, careers or personal lives just because of their caring role. While Ryan works, Carol gave up her career to care for their sons.
Carol said:
I used to work in logistics and marketing for an international firm. When I was pregnant I gave up work and I’ve never gone back.
While Carol is clearly devoted to her own family, she’s also recently become a trustee for a local charity called Autism Together. Giving back is something that she’s passionate about. Carol said:
The boys attend there two days a week, so they’re a charity I hold in high regard and they do fabulous work. I like to be involved and help where I can.
Unpaid carers provide essential care to friends and family who need their support. Despite their huge contribution to our communities, many carers still feel undervalued and unsupported. Proposals to change this are included in the council’s Improvement Plan for Adult Social Care services which is going before the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee for discussion this week.
Despite the challenges they face, there is support available for carers. WIRED is the council's commissioned provider for carer support. Based in Birkenhead, they offer carer training and support groups, a health and wellbeing service as well as specialist practical advice and guidance and so much more.
As a subscriber to WIRED, Carol attends carers yoga. She’s found the free sessions really helpful.
Carol said:
I found out about it through WIRED’s Instagram, I’ve been going since it started. It’s just lovely – sometimes I stay for a coffee if I have time. I’m a bit of a hippy – a big believer in meditation and yoga, so I get a lot out of it.
And it’s a nice group of people – we had a get together at Christmas. I have gone to some of the other support groups too.
She also recommends other carers to get in touch with the charity for support. Carol said:
I would recommend people to get in touch with WIRED. The people are lovely, it’s laid back and informal and they have tonnes of info, there’s tonnes planned for carers week.
During carers week WIRED are hosting a scheme of events aimed at carers, but they provide support and services year-round to fit into the busy schedules of Wirral’s carers. For more information on WIRED’s events for Carers Week 2025, visit: Wired | Carers Week 2025.
A ‘Commitment to Carers’ conference is taking place on Wednesday 11 June, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, organised by Wirral Carers Alliance. For more information, and to book your free space, visit: Conference Sessions | Wirral Carers Alliance.
