My Amazon Echo Dot, has been my escape for relaxation and time to myself as I listen to this in my bedroom. I listen to my music through this which helps to makes me relax and unwind and gives me time to think and reflect!

Thanks to Gateshead Carers Association and the Carer Wellbeing Fund, I have found this extremely useful especially this year when we are all on Lockdown, and looking after a daughter who has Autism as well as another daughter who is 15 years old and also in Lockdown. This has been a difficult time for me and my own mental health but Gateshead Carers have been a lifeline throughout this period and prior to this year.

I first heard of Gateshead Carers in 2017 when a friend of mine mentioned them to me and told me how good they were in giving you support and help. I did initially think that this was too good to be true, well I was wrong, these guys have been brilliant they have helped me in so many ways. For me personally, they have helped with benefits, funding to help with my daughter and myself to look after ourselves.

I would like to say thank you Carers and to my Carer Wellbeing Facilitator, she is lovely I can tell her how I’m feeling and she suggests coping mechanisms and strategies that help me to deal with my own mental health but also looking after a child with Autism. All the staff that I have met through groups and activities are non-judgemental and give you support when you need it.

I am writing this in the hope that other Carers out there who look after someone important in their life reach out and pick up the phone.

Gateshead Carers has been a lifeline for me and I wish I had known about them sooner as the knowledge they have within their team is immense.

Thank You.