25 Years of Role On

Who are Role On?

Role on is a unique self-support group for former long-term carers on the Wirral. It is estimated in the UK that there are 6.5 million carers, with almost 2 million of those becoming former carers each year. Former carers can be overlooked and the adjustment from being a carer to not being a carer is challenging. When a carers role ends, what’s next? Their life changes over night. Their purpose and identity can be lost and the support groups they may have accessed for carers are no longer the right support.

When you are a carer every aspect of your life is dominated by that role. You may have had to leave work, with your responsibilities meaning your daily routine is set, you never put yourself first, you stop socialising and you lose friendships along the way. The list goes on and all this can happen without you barely realising it.

This is where Role On can be a lifeline for former long-term carers. That first step to rebuild social contact and make friends with those who know exactly what you are going through and help to support you through this difficult transition.

25 years ago…

Brenda and John were both carers, Brenda was a carer for her husband and John for his mother, and they were both part of the Wirral Alzheimer’s society. In 2000, after Brenda’s husband and John’s mum sadly passed away, they both felt the huge life adjustment immediately, and Brenda recalls how she realised that there wasn’t support for former carers and groups for current carers were not the right support for them. She felt there was a real void for those who were no longer carers, and then she had a idea!

It was to create a group for all those in the same position as her, those who had cared for so long that they had forgotten what their life was like before. A place to meet other former carers, share their stories and make new friendships. They needed help to start a different way of life with the support of people with lived experience, so she started with an application for £1000 funding grant from the Millennium Fund for community projects.

Brenda wanted to be able to organise meet ups or days out for former carers and, with help to apply, she submitted her idea for a community project in the hope that they would see the impact such a group could have, which they did! This was the financial boost she needed to get put her idea in to practice.

With Brenda now ready to put her plan in to action, she scheduled a meeting at Tranmere Rovers inviting other former carers to become part of the committee of this new group. With John in attendance (and the only one with a computer at home) the unanimous decision was made to elect him as the treasurer. I suspect it probably had a lot more to do with John’s experience and career than he cares to admit, but he insists the computer was the deciding factor. And so, Role On was born under its first name of Wirral Former Carers.

In November 2002 the charity, started by former carers for former carers, began to spread the word. Their membership across the borough began to grow and has done ever since, bringing former carers together a few times a month to have a coffee, something to eat and to socialise together. So, if we jump to 25 years later, what does it mean to be a member of Role on?

Role On Today

Well firstly, new members will be part of a 45-strong membership group who socialise together and support each other through challenging times. They will have a monthly breakfast Club to go to on the first Thursday of the month at Liberty Bell Coffee from 10am till 12, where members can sit and chat with the gang while enjoying tea and toast. If any former carer doesn't fancy themselves as a morning person, then on the third Thursday of the month there is a ‘free & easy’ afternoon meet up at the Johnny Pie pub in Heswall, where members the group meet for lunch at 12 noon. There is something for the crafters too with ‘Rita’s Craft Group’ held monthly in Bebington.

I was lucky enough to attend not one but two breakfast club meetings at Liberty Bell Coffee and experienced the warm welcome first hand. John and Brenda were there to greet me, and the friendly staff brought over a lovely hot, creamy latte while John and I had a chat. Looking around the room, John was pointing out new and old members of which he knew all by name. He talked about the process of joining Role On, including a meet up before hand to introduce someone to the group and tell a potential member what Role On is all about. He mentioned members finding a new purpose, enjoying a good meal with good company, not feeling isolated and carving out a different way of life after joining them. It was evident to see, from groups of people chatting and laughing, sharing stories or just talking about what sort of week they had had. A lovely relaxed, safe and friendly atmosphere could be felt with people just enjoying a natter.

Member Days Out

John also organises day trips for the group, and he finds some amazing places to suit all! A bonus is there is always an emphasis on good quality and tasty food on each trip. They have had some brilliant and unique days out, including RHS Garden Bridgewater close to Salford’s historical Bridgewater Canal, where the day was spent enjoying the gardens with wheelchairs and mobility scooters on hand for those who needed them. Another was a trip to the Lazy Trout in Meerbrook for everyone who enjoys tasty grub in beautiful surroundings.

The next trip is a visit to the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry in September followed by a two-course lunch at the historic Alvanley Arms. Role On also organise Christmas Lunch yearly in the gorgeous Crystal Suite, Thornton Hall Hotel were they have a ‘all the trimmings’ Christmas lunch and, of course, Santa delivers some sacks of goodies for all.

It's amazing that this unique group exists and the impact it has on its members. Talking to some of the gang, it was great to hear about the friendships that had grown because of meeting at Role On and a phrase I heard a lot of was 'I wouldn't have known what to do without this group' and that really does hit the nail on the head when trying to explain the impact it has!

To find out more about Role On and where to contact them, please follow the link below!

Role On's Facebook Page