Jane's Story

For twelve years, I did not know I was a carer. My husband Robert has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and I just did what needed doing. Collected his prescriptions. Drove him to appointments. Managed the house when he was too breathless to help. Stayed awake when his breathing got bad at night. I thought that was just marriage.

It was a GP receptionist who handed me a leaflet about Carers in Luton and changed everything. When I read through the descriptions of what a carer does, I ticked every box. I was not just a wife — I was an unpaid carer providing essential support.

That recognition opened doors I did not know existed. I had a carer's assessment, which led to respite care twice a month. I joined a wellbeing group where I could focus on myself for a few hours each week. The transformation was not dramatic — it was steady. Week by week, I began to feel less like I was drowning and more like I was swimming.