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Unpaid Carers Charter
This charter was developed by Rethink Mental Illness’ Carers Advisory Board. It outlines the need for a carers’ framework and standards to involve carers in all settings related to the individuals they care for each day.
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Meet with your MP
If you have caring experience and would like to speak to your MP about the reality of being a carer, read our guide to help you prepare for a meeting with your MP.
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Stories from carers
“Being open is sometimes all it takes”
Florrie has been supporting her son through treatment resistant schizophrenia for 20 years. With the help of family, friends and peers from a Rethink Mental Illness support group, Florrie is able to cherish the positive moments.
Read Florrie's story
“This charity and outreach programme has been a life buoy”
For Carers Week, Noriko shares her difficulty adjusting to life in the UK, especially when her son James became ill. With carers support from Rethink Mental Illness, Noriko feels heard and less alone.
Read Noriko's story
"When Christian became ill, it hit me like a ton of bricks"
Georgie, who lives with depression and anxiety, has been supporting her son through schizophrenia for nearly 35 years now. For Carers Week, she shares the impact stigma has had on her son’s life and offers helpful advice for carers in similar circumstances.
Read Georgie's story“I had to fight for my mum”
Marianne’s mother has been in a severe depressive episode for the past two years, leading to a coma, major organ failure and admission to a care home. For Carers Week, she shares the impact ageist stigma had on her mum’s treatment and what it’s like to be a carer without external support.
Read Marianne's story
“I could see the fun part of Mum slipping away”
Liberty looks back on childhood memories she holds of her mother, who has experienced borderline personality disorder (BPD), paranoid personality disorder (PPD) and cyclothymia (a milder form of bipolar disorder) for most of her life.
Read Liberty's story
“No one knows what life’s like as a carer”
For Carers Week, Sharon shares her experience of caring for some of her family members at the same time, one of them being her son who experiences autism and difficulties with his mental health. With the help of Julie from Rethink Mental Illness and a supportive carers group, Sharon has spent the last 20 years keeping her family well.
Read Sharon's story“Caring is not for the faint-hearted”
In this blog for Carers Week, Julie shares her experience caring for her son who deals with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. She sheds light on juggling many responsibilities at once, the debilitating nature of mental illness and the value in appreciating the little things.
Read Julie's story
“The isolation of being a carer is the scariest thing”
For Carers Week, Steve explores his tumultuous journey caring for his wife who has experienced paranoid schizophrenia for 29 years. He brings awareness to the lack of recovery-focused support for acute schizophrenia, the importance of community and how his caring responsibilities deeply impacted his own mental health.
Read Steve's story
My advice for visiting a loved one in hospital
In 2022, Helen's brother, who experiences schizophrenia, was sadly detained under the Mental Health Act for 12 months. She reflects on her personal experiences, sharing advice to help other carers, particularly siblings, who may be preparing for a hospital visit.
Read Helen's story