We live in a world of interaction where Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and many other social media platforms are taking over. But one thing the past six months has taught us is that we still need to take time to talk to each other.
Lock Down seriously restricted face to face contact, a friendly cup of coffee, lunch or pint in the pub were all things we missed. Being able to sit down and share a laugh, a sorrow an experience were things we could not do any more. And we missed that!
So what did we do? We discovered Zoom and Whats App. Both of these gave carers the opportunity to maintain contact with each other even if it wasn’t “in the flesh” it was something. Kinship carers all agree the people who understand kinship care best are other carers and being able to talk to them is a real solace. Some are wary of Zoom, some cannot handle the technology that Zoom and Whats App involve, some need help – but carers still need carers as support. Then a good old fashioned telephone call comes into its own, with a friendly voice on the other end of a phone.
A friendly voice that will listen to another carer is worth its weight in gold on many an occasion. Having face to face support groups put on hold due to the pandemic has been a blow to many, but finding a way around that has upheld and lifted many a carer from the depression that Lock Down might have caused. Our network has been active all through Lock Down on Whats App and Zoom and we’ve talked about all sorts of issues that affected us and supported each other when someone was feeling low or depressed and everyone agrees that has been a real support. We even managed a couple of socially distanced meet ups in a local park as restrictions were lifted that everyone agreed were great as a “live” meeting was so much better than a virtual/techno one, they were a real morale boost. Sadly they are now no longer permitted.
Kinship care is often a lonely affair? We’ve often heard “I thought I was on my own until I discovered other carers in my area” and being able to talk to another carer, who understands, is invaluable and something we should cherish and nurture? Cliff Richard had a hit, a long time ago, with “We don’t Talk Anymore”. Perhaps in these strange and troubled times we should all think about who needs help and support and Take Time to Talk to each other?
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