Across the UK, an estimated 1.5 million people provide unpaid care for someone with a disability, illness, or mental health condition — often at great personal cost. Many face long waits for support, language barriers, and the emotional strain of managing complex care needs alone.
This was the case for Fariha (name changed), a young woman living with severe disabilities, and her mother, Noreen (name changed), who was referred to social prescriber Denise Nolan at Kingstanding Circle for practical and emotional support.
What does a day look like for a parent caring for a child with severe disabilities — when every movement, every appointment, every call feels like a full-time job?
For Fariha (name changed) and her mother, Noreen (name changed), life revolved around constant care, countless forms, and long waits for help that never seemed to arrive. When social prescriber Denise Nolan first spoke with Noreen, she immediately recognised the quiet exhaustion in her voice — the kind that comes from years of doing everything alone.
The GP’s referral asked for help with physiotherapy, incontinence support, and home-schooling guidance for Fariha, who is severely disabled. But the real story came through in conversation. Noreen shared that she was struggling both physically and emotionally — lifting, moving, and caring for Fariha around the clock, all while managing financial strain and communication barriers due to limited English.
Denise’s first step was to offer empathy and reassurance. Listening without rush, she helped Noreen feel understood and supported. Together, they began to explore practical solutions.
Denise suggested applying for a grant from Gateway Family Services CIC for essential hygiene supplies such as incontinence sheets and gloves. The referral was submitted and accepted — a small victory that meant immediate relief at home.
To address financial challenges, Denise referred Noreen to New Hope Global, where she was contacted by Mina, who guided her through a complex Universal Credit claim and offered advice for future benefit applications.
Recognising the need for broader support, Denise also connected the family with the Disability Resource Centre and Mencap, providing information on specialist services and respite options. She additionally contacted Family Fund to gather details about their “Your Opportunity 18–24” programme, helping families of young adults with disabilities.
Behind the scenes, Denise liaised with Adult Social Care, making multiple conference calls with an Urdu interpreter to help Noreen navigate the system and get updates on the care package process. It was time-consuming — but necessary.
By the end of their sessions, Fariha’s hygiene support had been approved, her case was progressing with Adult Social Care, and Noreen felt less isolated. She shared how grateful she was for the guidance and patience shown throughout.
Their story is a portrait of quiet resilience — a mother doing everything possible, and a practitioner determined to make sure she didn’t have to do it alone.
Reflections
This story captures both the challenge and reward of supporting unpaid carers. Behind every service referral are hours of unseen labour and quiet endurance.
Denise’s persistence — ensuring referrals, translations, and follow-ups — highlights how compassionate coordination can restore dignity and hope to families under strain. For Noreen, this wasn’t just about forms and phone calls; it was about being heard and supported after feeling invisible for so long.
As Fariha waits for a permanent social worker, her family now stands on firmer ground, equipped with the tools and networks to keep going — one call, one service, one act of care at a time.
References
- Carers UK (2025). Facts about unpaid carers in England. Retrieved from: Carers UK
- Mencap (2024). Support for people with learning disabilities. Retrieved from: Mencap
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