More Than a Weekly Shop: How a Tesco Visit Connected Gurpreet to Carer Support
When *Gurpreet’s 38-year-old husband suddenly suffered a stroke, family life changed overnight. With four children to care for, daily hospital visits and no idea what the future would hold, she felt as though she was trying to keep her family together while everything around her had changed.
Our lives changed overnight
Nothing could have prepared me for my husband having a stroke at just 38.
One moment we were getting on with everyday family life and the next, everything was uncertain.
As a mum of four, I was suddenly trying to be in two places at once. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my husband in hospital, but my children needed me too.
I was physically and emotionally exhausted, but what worried me most was the future.
What would happen when my husband came home? What care would he need? How would I look after him and our four children? Who could I ask for help?
There were so many unknowns that I didn’t know where to begin.
Then someone asked how I was
I met the Sandwell Carers Service team during a community outreach event at Tesco in West Bromwich.
It came at a time when I really needed someone to listen.
I was able to talk about what had happened, the pressure I was under and all the things I was worried about. Instead of being given lots of information and left to work everything out myself, the team explained how Sandwell Carers Service could support me.
For the first time, I felt there was somewhere I could turn.
I didn’t have to work everything out alone
The team explained that I could have a point of contact through Sandwell Carers Service who could help me navigate the different types of support available.
That was such a relief.
When you are already dealing with a family crisis, trying to understand different services, organisations and processes can feel like another huge responsibility. Knowing there were people who could help me find the right support took away some of that pressure.
They also helped me with information about the Companion Access Card, which could give me greater flexibility when visiting my husband in hospital.
It might seem like one small thing, but when you are trying to balance hospital visits with caring for four children, anything that makes everyday life a little easier matters.
“I could finally breathe again”
I walked away from that conversation feeling different.
My husband was still in hospital. There were still uncertainties ahead and our family still had a difficult journey to navigate.
But I no longer felt that I had to find all the answers on my own.
I felt like I was drowning trying to be in two places at once. Finding out that there is a ‘one-stop shop’ for support changed everything for me. I walked away feeling like I could finally breathe again, knowing that when he comes home, I won’t be doing this on my own.
Sometimes, knowing someone is there to listen, guide you and help you understand your options can make an enormous difference. For me, one conversation helped turn some of the fear of the unknown into reassurance that support was there when my family needed it.
You don’t have to wait until you reach crisis point
You might not think of yourself as a Carer. You might simply see yourself as a husband, wife, partner, parent, son, daughter, relative or friend doing what needs to be done for someone you love.
But if you regularly support someone who could not manage without your help because of a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition, addiction or age-related needs, you may be an unpaid Carer.
Sandwell Carers Service is here for you.
Whether your caring role has begun suddenly, as mine did, or has developed gradually over time, reaching out can be the first step towards getting the information, advice and support you need.
You don’t have to work everything out alone.
*(Gurpreet’s name and image have been changed to protect her anonymity).
Carer Groups and Drop-ins
Like Gurpreet, you might find support when you least expect it.
Sandwell Carers Service takes support into the heart of local communities, helping to identify and support unpaid Carers earlier – before caring becomes overwhelming or reaches crisis point.
Our friendly Carer groups and drop-ins are places where you can talk to someone who understands, get practical information and advice, meet other Carers in your local area, or simply take some time for yourself. You don’t have to wait until things become difficult to ask for support.
We offer regular drop-ins at seven libraries across Sandwell, making it easier to find support close to home. You can also find our team at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Sandwell Hospital, Smethwick Heritage Centre & Community Hub and St Albans Community Centre.
Find a group or drop-in near you by viewing our latest timetable or looking at our What’s On calendar.
To find out about assistance available in hospital, visit the support from health professionals page on our website.
