From Caregiver to Griever: Exploring the Complexities of Loss and Identity

In this episode of the Care Without Burnout podcast, host Donna Bentley-Carr welcomes Laura, a social prescriber with over 20 years of experience in social care. Laura shares her insights on the importance of social prescribing in supporting patients with non-medical issues that impact their health and well-being, particularly for unpaid carers. She discusses her role in connecting individuals to vital services and resources, emphasising the emotional toll of caregiving and the need for support. Additionally, Laura introduces her new venture as a grief and loss coach, highlighting the complexities of grief that often accompany caregiving roles. KEY TAKEAWAYS Social Prescribing Importance: Social prescribing offers a holistic approach to healthcare by addressing non-medical issues that impact health and well-being, such as housing, benefits, and social isolation, thereby reducing unnecessary GP visits. Support for Carers: Many carers feel isolated and overwhelmed, often unaware of the support services available to them. Connecting them with local resources can significantly improve their well-being and provide necessary respite. Grief and Loss Coaching: Grief can encompass both physical loss and non-death losses, such as the loss of routine or purpose. Understanding these different types of grief is crucial for providing effective support to those navigating their feelings after a loss. BEST MOMENTS "One of the main objectives for social prescribing is to reduce the amount of times that patients might need to see their GP because they found that a lot of patients were going to their GP with more social issues." "People come to us and they don't know what services are out there. And when we tell them, they're like, Wow, I didn't know that was there." "There's a non-death grief there as well that's attached to the physical bereavement. You can live alongside your grief. It's not going anywhere." ABOUT THE HOST Donna brings both professional depth and personal lived experience to every conversation. She holds a Diploma in Coaching and Positive Psychology and is a qualified Alcohol-Free Performance Coach.  She had 28 years in NHS nursing and clinical leadership - including Matron roles in a busy teaching hospital -  yet found being a carer for a loved one incredibly challenging. That was when she founded Care Without Burnout, a not for profit Community Interest Company, to bridge a gap the NHS simply doesn't have the capacity to fill: preventative, relational support for the people doing the caring. Whether you're in the thick of it right now, supporting someone who is, or working alongside carers professionally this podcast is for you. New episodes every Monday. Subscribe wherever you listen. ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/18sSX8fkRw/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/carewithoutburnout?igsh=MTdvdmV6enY4ZTkxNw==⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@cwb.cic?_r=1&_t=ZN-97SQfpF2r26⁠⁠ ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://carewithoutburnout.org⁠⁠