Date published: 8 June 2026
What makes a carer and why do we need to give them a voice? We discover what support is out there.
Ann Hanlon is a passionate advocate of carers – including those who don’t see themselves as such.
“You might see yourself as a mother, a daughter, a sister. Or a brother, a father or a son. You may see yourself as the friend of someone you care for. Let’s be clear, if you are helping someone because they are ill or disabled, then you are a carer.”
She should know. Her day job may be leading Mersey Care’s Carer Engagement Team, but Ann has been a carer herself.
“You’re in a bubble; it can be relentless. Decisions are out of your hands. Your daily life revolves around your caring role - what time you get up, eat, go to bed. You might feel resentful about being put in this situation or guilty when you lose patience.
“The loss of control is huge. When you’re in that pressured situation, you don’t always have the headspace to think about anything apart from making sure the person you care for is okay and getting all the help they need. You can forget about you. That’s when we can help.
“The first thing we do when someone comes to us is listen. Everyone in our team either is or has been a carer. We know how important it is to have someone to tell your story to, someone to truly understand where you’re coming from. We’re a safe space to release your frustration, anger, upset, guilt, disappointment – and let you know it’s okay to feel those emotions. We’ll stay with you and when you need help, we’ll be there.
I understand people might not think a carer group is for them or that they don’t have time. Or they feel caring is already taking over their life. But sometimes hearing other people’s experiences is needed to give you licence to feel the same.
“There’s a myth about reaching out, a view that nothing’s out there. Or you may not know what you need. It’s things like knowing more about a condition or negotiating visiting times that suit you if you work shifts. We’ll arrange for someone to contact you, and we’ll organise a carer assessment to see what help you can get. When you don’t want to call us, that’s often when you need help the most. Give us a call.”