Let's Take Care - Support for Carers of Disabled Children and Young Adults

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 11 of Let's Take Care , we explore the growing number of celebrities and public figures who are sharing their experiences of raising disabled children and young people. From social media posts to TV interviews and documentaries, these voices are helping to bring SEND family life into the mainstream, raising awareness, challenging stereotypes and helping other paren...

Send us Fan Mail What's it like to find out you have autism as an adult?  In this episode Melissa and Jane sit down with Steve, an adoptive dad and charity volunteer, to talk honestly about parenting two teenagers with neurodivergence. Steve shares the story of his own autism diagnosis as an adult, and how that helped him support his children. We also get into self-care that actually works fo...

Send us Fan Mail One cancelled care shift can wipe out a whole day. Parent carers often seem able to do it all -  because they have to, but that can make friends, family, and professionals assume they can cope without them, and because of that, sometimes, people let them down. Caring for a child with profound disabilities is not just “busy”. It is a constant mix of medical needs, physical lifting,...

Send us Fan Mail When you've seen your child almost die numerous times and you've been living on your nerves for years, your priorities change. You change. Forever. Friendships lapse and new friendships form - forged through common hardships. In this episode of Let's Take Care, mums Jane and Melissa discuss how handling their daughters' illnesses has shaped them. The two friend...

Send us Fan Mail The runaway wheelchair and the havoc of the hoist!  Jane and Melissa look on the bright side in this episode of Let's Take Care, as they remind us laughter really is the best medicine, especially if you're the carer of a young adult or child with disabilities. The pressure of being a full-time carer is immense and the two mums discuss how looking back on disasters with a...

Send us Fan Mail Being a carer can take a mental and physical toll.  In this New Year episode Jane and Melissa talk about how over the years, they sacrificed their health as they prioritised their children - and why they wished they hadn't. Melissa opens up about her cancer, and Jane talks about her heart condition. The two mums share their tips on staying healthy, and they discuss how lookin...

Send us Fan Mail Being Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party hasn't stopped Sir Ed Davey from taking care of his disabled son. In this frank, compassionate and at times, witty discussion Sir Ed talks fondly about his family and the challenges of being a parent carer. Caring for a loved one has been a way of life for Sir Ed who first took on caring responsibilities as a child. Join Jane and Mel...

Send us Fan Mail Being a carer for a young adult with profound disabilities is tough - but it's not our children that make it hard - they're a blessing. It's the system that puts carers under constant pressure. In this episode Melissa and Jane share their greatest frustrations and discuss the many difficulties families face when they're caring for a child with disabilities. Thi...

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when friends and family offer unhelpful advice when you're the parent of a child with a disabilities? How can you protect your marriage or partnership from the strain of overwhelming tiredness and never-ending responsibilities when you are caring for your child twenty-four hours a day? These are some of the questions Jane and Melissa address in this episode of...

Send us Fan Mail Why a simple “How are you?” can feel impossible to answer when you're the parent of a child with disabilities.  Jane and Melissa unpack the weight carers carry — the mental, emotional, and physical toll — and why society rarely sees or acknowledges it. Feel seen and supported in this thought-provoking episode with tips on how to handle the invisible load. Whether you’re a car...

Send us Fan Mail Unexpectedly giving birth to a baby with disabilities can change the course of your life. In this episode Jane and  Melissa share their birth stories and talk us through the challenges they faced when their babies were born with complications. We hear about the mental, physical and psychological toll of raising children with profound disabilities. Jane and Melissa offer advice for...

Send us Fan Mail https://www.bftf.org.uk/ Email us at: letstakecare@bftf.org.uk #DisabilityAwareness #ChronicIllness #HiddenDisability #SENDParent #AdditionalNeeds #SpecialNeedsParent #DisabilityCommunity #InclusiveFamilies #CarersUK