We are excited to have been chosen as the charity beneficiary for the upcoming BBC Radio 4 appeal which took place on Sunday 8 June.
Simone and George's story
Simone is a full-time carer living in Southeast England with her nine-year-old son, George, who is autistic and non-verbal. George is a lively and active child who enjoys music, swimming, and long drives in the car or van — especially if they include a stop at his favourite shops. His needs require consistent, specialised care, and following his diagnosis, Simone made the decision to leave work in order to support him full time. The care services available in her local area were inconsistent and difficult to rely on, making it unmanageable to continue employment alongside her caring responsibilities.
One of the ongoing challenges Simone faces is being away from home for extended periods. Due to George’s sensory needs and routines, eating away from home is difficult for him, which can make outings stressful and often cut short. As a result, Simone has experienced periods of isolation, despite having support from family. The demands of being the primary carer mean that day-to-day life requires constant planning and flexibility.
Simone was introduced to Carers UK by her sister. Through the website, she accessed a range of information and support, including the Share and Learn programme - a series of free, online sessions for carers. She found particular value in a session focused on caring for children with autism and navigating the social care system, which helped her better understand available support and how to access it.
The information and connection provided by Carers UK have made a meaningful difference in Simone’s caring journey. She has since shared the resources with other families in her local area who care for children with similar needs, helping to create a wider network of mutual support within the community.
While Simone continues to carry the ongoing concern about George’s long-term care - particularly what might happen if she is no longer able to support him - the knowledge and connections gained through Carers UK have helped her feel more informed and less alone in her role as a carer.
We are extremely grateful to our Patron, Tiggy Walker who made the Radio 4 Appeal on our behalf.
Tiggy speaks of not only her own caring experience, but how Carers UK supports unpaid carers by providing expert information and advice on our website and through our Helpline.
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