This Carers Week, Forward Carers was delighted to launch the brand-new podcast Carer Friendly Conversations, the podcast dedicated to shining a light on the realities of unpaid Caring. 

In the UK alone, there are around six million Unpaid Carers supporting loved ones, often while balancing work, family, and everything in between.

This podcast takes you inside these experiences, through honest conversations, powerful stories, and practical insights. 

Here, podcast host Alex talks us through his experience of chatting to Carer Neil in the debut episode. 

You can find the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

My Chat with Neil Joesbury: Talking Caring, co-Caring and the importance of LGBTQ+ Representation

Neil Joesbury tells me he has a catchphrase: there’s light at the end of the tunnel when people start talking.

You can tell that this is a value he lives and breathes in his role as an unpaid Carer and Carer Ambassador.

He is passionate about the positive benefits of accessing support, speaking about your journey, and finding comfort in shared experiences.

His infectious positivity is impossible to ignore, and in my 45 minute chat with him, I learnt the depth of his character.

We begin by discussing his Caring situation.

Neil became a co-Carer at a young age as his brother Adam has learning difficulties. He then began caring for his dad Bob who suffered a bleed on the brain in 2017.

The young age Neil experienced Caring has contributed to his confidence and ability to deal with the transition to becoming a Carer for two.

“I took it in my stride because of the Young Age. When I was older my dad had the bleed on the brain… it’s just like where do I start?

So what I thought then is I’m like, okay my dad’s being cared for, [now I] get my brother, make sure he’s okay, let me go into the hospital and then talk about what happens next”

Neil speaks so candidly, even when relating some of the tough moments he’s faced.

One example came just over 18-months ago when Neil’s dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Neil’s account of the moment is powerful reminder of how quickly things can change in Caring.

However, even at this low point, Neil was able to find positives, particularly regarding how his brother Adam stepped up to support.

Neil remembers how Adam took the reins in the hospital, asking questions to the medical staff and helping manage the situation.

When I asked Neil if this was something he was proud to see, the answer was emphatic:

“I was very proud. I still am over it, because he’s asked questions which I thought he wouldn’t ask because he’s normally quiet in Health Professions. Then I’m like, okay he’s asked these questions, like why did it take you so long!

[I thought] this was actually turning point, because he’s actually asking questions medical staff which I thought he wouldn’t. I know it was challenging, but it brought my brother out a little bit more”

We talk about Adam’s experience of Caring and how the support he needs might differ from others.

Neil explains how, initially, Adam found Carer support groups challenging. They were difficult to follow as they were not accessible to him.

It was only when somebody they knew from Alzheimer’s UK got in touch and was able to provide support more suited to him, using visuals to provide more information on Dementia, that he started to understand more about the benefits of Carer support.

It opens an interesting conversation on how unpaid Carer support must be personal and unique.

No two Carers are the same and support must reflect this.

Neil himself runs several support groups, including a Male Carers Group and an LGTB Carers Group.

Living by his motto, these support groups offer unpaid Carers across the West Midlands the chance to open up about their caring role, get advice and be guided towards relevant services.

Neil often takes these groups to socialise, recently visiting a bowling alley and mini-golf. This helps Carers attending the groups, knowing they can speak as much or as little as they please.

Sometimes, it is more about socialising, but when the time comes to talk, the group know they are all there for each other.

This was just a snippet of the incredible conversation we enjoyed on the first episode of Carer Friendly Conversations.

Neil spoke with such honesty, and I left the conversation feeling incredibly inspired. I am sure there many inspiring chats still to come on the pod.

You can listen to the entire chat on all your major podcast providers!