*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: wearecarers@gmail.com. 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 here

You can find out more about the Parent Carer Wellbeing Study here

You 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: wearecarers@gmail.com. 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: http://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/my-blogs/

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: wearecarers@gmail.com

You 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/1472288483

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: http://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/my-blogs/

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 wearecarers@gmail.com

Patrick Butler and Josh Halliday can be reached at patrick.butler@guardian.co.uk and josh.halliday@guardian.co.uk

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: http://numbereighteeninthecorner.blog/my-blogs/