We asked the Carer Support Dorset team to share a final goodbye in their own words. They reflected on their highlights from their time with us, what it’s been like supporting carers across Dorset, and any special memories they wanted to look back on. Here’s what our wonderful team had to say about the past six years. 
Poppy Connell
“Working at Carer Support Dorset has been such a privilege. The carers I’ve met and the stories I’ve heard have shown me the incredible resilience people have, even in the most challenging circumstances. To have played even a small part in supporting you has been truly meaningful. One of the things I’m most proud of is how I believe CSD has given carers a stronger voice across Dorset, we’ve helped raise awareness of your vital role and ensured more people recognise the contribution that you make every day! As we close this chapter of CSD, I feel proud of all we’ve achieved together for carers. The impact will continue to ripple out, and the lessons we’ve learned will carry forward into whatever comes next.”
Hannah Wynn
“I have really enjoyed my time working at Carer Support Dorset over the past three and a half years. It’s been amazing to work alongside colleagues who feel equally as passionate about supporting carers as I do. I’m very much looking forward to joining Help & Care, where we will continue to provide support to our carers.
A memorable experience I had in my time here was during one of our GP Carer Clinics. I met with a carer who was supporting his wife with Alzheimer’s Disease. The carer advised me that he was reluctant to attend the appointment, despite his daughter’s strong encouragement for him to seek support. The carer explained that he was worn out and fed up, although that he felt that he just needs to ‘suck it up and get on with it’. The carer explained that he was the only person caring for his wife and that he recognises that some help would be beneficial.
During the appointment, I spoke to him about the different types of talking support which are available for carers. He agreed for me to make a referral to the ‘Counselling4Carers’ service through an organisation called Leonardo Carer Support. We also discussed sourcing care privately and with his consent I made a referral to UB Healthcare who would support him in finding suitable care for his wife. I also signposted the carer to a number of local carer support groups where he could meet other carers in a similar position to help him feel less lonely and isolated.
Several weeks later, the carer phoned in to inform me that he had been utilising the counselling service which he described as ‘wonderful and life changing’. He also shared that he had started attending a local carer support group in which he had formed a number of friendships. He also explained that a carer was due to start in the coming weeks, which would significantly reduce the pressure on his caring role. It is times like this, when you truly help change someone’s life that it becomes clear how important our work is.”
Sarah Carr-Brion
“I feel very lucky to have worked as part of such a great team over my three years at Carer Support Dorset. All my colleagues have worked so hard to support unpaid carers and develop the service into what it is today.
Working with young adult carers has been a big highlight of my time at CSD. It’s been great to watch them grow other the years, and to support them to go on to get jobs, go to university, and work towards their future goals. The young carer activities I have had the chance to help lead have been great fun, including trips to Monkey World and Dorset Adventure Park!
I will miss working for Carer Support Dorset, but I am looking forward to continuing to support unpaid carers with the team at Help & Care.”
Laura Dagnall
“The favourite part of my work with CSD are the carer cafes. I love seeing all the carers chatting to each other, sharing information and support. New carers arrive and are welcomed with opened arms. As a carer myself I know the importance of peer-to-peer support and it has been a privilege to be part of this very important aspect of Carer Support Dorset.”
Emily Chyzewska
“Since I started working at Carer Support Dorset, I have been so incredibly happy to meet and be working alongside such wonderful, passionate, and caring individuals. All of whom genuinely care, and ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure our carers feel supported and access the information they need. I always say, ‘If we don’t know the answer, leave it with us, and together we will find the answer and let you know’.
I can honestly say, in all the events/drop-ins/groups I have attended with CSD, I have always left with either a carer teaching me something new or sharing a story about their past. For me, these encounters are what bring us together as a community – listening and sharing lived experiences. These are the memories I will take with me.
Although we’re saying goodbye to our wonderful CSD colleagues, they’re not going far! You’ll still be able to reach them by phone or online as they transition as a team to Help & Care. From 24th November, you’ll find many familiar faces ready to support you as part of the Help & Care team.”
Don’t forget that Carer Support Dorset might be shifting but Carer Money Matters isn’t going anywhere!
Our amazing team of Financial Wellbeing Officers are on hand to offer free, helpful advice on:
- Saving energy
- Cutting down your energy bills
- Dealing with energy debt
- Getting added to the Priority Services Register, so your supplier gives you extra help – like advanced warnings about power cuts, help with meter readings, or priority reconnection
- Any other kind of debt
- Budgeting
- Benefits
- Advice on getting back into work as a carer, or general advice about your legal rights as a working carer
Our aim is to work with you to find practical tips that fit your situation and support you to feel more in control of your money, for yourself and the person you care for. We know that reaching out can be a hard first step, but we are here to help you. If you would like to find out more about Carer Money Matters, click here to visit our brand-new Carer Money Matters Hub which is live on our website! This hub is the one stop shop to find out everything you could ever need to know about our CMM program! If you would like to get in touch to talk about anything and everything money related, phone 0800 368 8349, or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk.
