A carer in Caersws has described how providing care in her community has brought her closer to her neighbours.
Brenda Francis, who works as a Community Carer, provides care to 76-year-old service user, Barbara O’Sullivan. They both live in the same square in Caersws.
Brenda said: “Our small community is very tight knit, so being able to provide care services to people like Barbara, who I consider to be a neighbour, is ideal for me, not only because I already know her very well, but there is a very short work commute.
“Being so close allows us to build a great relationship as we see each other more regularly and we have much more in common. It’s also very easy for me to pop in as Barbara lives just across the square from me. I care very much for my service users so even when I am not on duty I am able to keep an eye on Barbara and make sure she is ok.”
Brenda joined Newtown-based Abacare in 2014. Her role covers all areas of care from palliative to domiciliary to learning disabilities and involves the delivery of professional personal care to members of the community on a daily basis.
She has been caring for Barbara since February, 2015.
Barbara said: “I really value the carers that look after me. They are extremely kind, caring and patient and great with my dog, Joe, too.
“I really enjoy having Brenda come into my house and she is much more than a carer to me, she is more like a friend. It is also an extra comfort to me to know that Brenda lives just across the square as I know she is always keeping an eye on me and will be there for me in an emergency.”
Abacare, which has offices in Newtown, has found that there are often people living in the same small community as someone who needs care and support and is able to offer these people work.
Sam Evans, Registered Manager at Abacare, said: “We can offer people who work in rural areas the opportunity to become a carer in their community.
“Anyone looking for work can register with us and we can let them know when work becomes available in their area.
“Where this kind of match between the person needing support and the carer can be made it also helps enormously with safety during the winter months as locally based carers can almost always reach someone even in poor conditions such as heavy rain or snow.
