Meet Sharon and Tracy– Bringing Carer Support into the Heart of Sandwell
From left to right: Sharon Clarke and Tracy Spatola, Sandwell Carers Outreach Advisors
Many people look after a family member, friend or neighbour without ever thinking of themselves as a Carer.
They may be helping someone with a disability, dementia, mental health condition, long-term illness or additional needs. They might help with medication, appointments, shopping, finances, personal care or simply making sure the person they care for is safe and well.
For some, caring has gradually become part of everyday life. This can mean they do not realise that free support is available for them too.
That is where Sharon and Tracy, our Sandwell Carers Outreach Advisors, come in.
Bringing support closer to Carers
Sharon and Tracy work out in communities across Sandwell, making it easier for Carers to find support without having to know where to start.
You will find them at local libraries, community venues, groups and outreach events, talking to people, listening to their experiences and helping identify those who may be providing unpaid care but have not yet recognised themselves as a Carer.
Our regular library groups currently take place in West Bromwich, Smethwick, Great Barr, Tipton, Wednesbury, Oldbury and Rowley Regis, helping to bring support into communities across the borough.
The approach is simple: friendly, informal and welcoming.
There is no pressure and no need to know exactly what support you need before having a conversation. Sharon and Tracy are there to listen and help you work out what might make life a little easier.
Sharon said:
“Tracy and I are passionate about what we do and are committed to promoting the services and support that Carers truly deserve.
As Carers ourselves, we bring valuable, relatable experiences that allow us to understand the challenges Carers face firsthand. Our personal experiences, combined with our previous roles and professional backgrounds, have placed us in a unique position to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
We believe every Carer deserves to feel valued, heard, supported and empowered. Our aim is to use our experience, empathy and passion to provide meaningful support and help make a positive difference to the lives of Carers and the people they care for”
Finding Sandwell’s ‘hidden’ Carers
One of the most important parts of Sharon and Tracy’s work is reaching hidden Carers – people who provide unpaid care but may not recognise themselves as Carers or know that help is available.
Someone might say:
“I’m not really a Carer – I’m just looking after my mum.”
“He’s my husband. Of course I help him.”
“She’s my daughter – I’m just doing what any parent would do.”
But caring responsibilities can have a significant impact on a person’s own wellbeing, relationships, work, finances and social life.
By being present in familiar community settings, Sharon and Tracy can start those important conversations and help people recognise that looking after someone else does not mean they have to manage everything alone.
As our outreach message says: “Taking our support into the heart of local communities to reach more Carers, earlier.”
What happens when you speak to Sharon or Tracy?
Sometimes all it takes is a conversation over a cup of tea.
Sharon and Tracy can explain what it means to be an unpaid Carer, talk through what’s happening at home and help identify what support could be useful.
They can also encourage and support Carers to register with Sandwell Carers Service, opening the door to free information, advice and ongoing support.
Their wider role includes providing Carer Wellbeing Checks, identifying needs early, developing personalised support plans where appropriate, providing one-to-one support and connecting Carers with other organisations and specialist services. Their work is designed to help build Carers’ knowledge, skills and emotional resilience while identifying difficulties early and helping prevent situations from reaching crisis point.
Most importantly, Sharon and Tracy take a person-centred approach. Every caring situation is different, so the conversation starts with the individual Carer and what matters to them.
Real conversations, real difference
Community outreach is already helping Carers across Sandwell find support.
Our Carers’ Stories share the experiences of local people, including Jenifer (pictured on the left with Tracy), Lisa and Gurpreet, and demonstrate how reaching Carers in the community can provide an important route into information, advice and wider support.
Jenifer said, “It’s so convenient that the team are regularly in local libraries near a bus route, so I can just pop in and talk to someone for support.“
These stories are also an important reminder that there is no single ‘type’ of Carer. Caring can begin at any stage of life and can look very different from one family to another.
That’s why Sharon and Tracy’s presence in communities matters. Instead of waiting for every Carer to find us, we are going out to find them.
Come and say hello
If you see Sharon or Tracy at your local library, community group or an event, come over and have a chat.
You don’t need an appointment and you don’t need to be certain that you’re a Carer. If you regularly help someone who could not manage as well without your support, talk to us.
Our library groups include regular sessions in:
- West Bromwich – Central Library
- Smethwick – Smethwick Library
- Great Barr – Great Barr Library
- Tipton – Glebefields Library
- Wednesbury – Wednesbury Library
- Oldbury – Rounds Green Library
- Rowley Regis – Blackheath Library
You can view the full timetable, including dates, times and other Sandwell Carers Service community drop-ins, here: View the Sandwell Carers groups and drop-ins timetable.
You can also read about the experiences of Carers who have received support and find out how Carers are helping to shape services in Sandwell through Carers Voice: Read our Carers’ Stories.
Not sure whether you’re a Carer?
Come and talk to Sharon or Tracy. A friendly conversation could be the first step towards getting the support you deserve.
Sandwell Carers Service
Telephone: 0121 798 2372
Email: info@sandwellcarers.org.uk
