BLOG: Carers Week Reflections: My Experience as a Staff Carer at Queen's
"Chatting with other carers and being signposted to a wealth of useful information was more helpful than I’d ever expected".
A blog by Jill Kilner, Senior Technician, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.
My role in the Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health (MEPH) labs is busy and interesting. As Floor Manager and senior technician, I oversee the day-to-day running of the labs, including DNA sample banking, use of complex lab equipment, training and safety aspects. With 10+ PGR students and other staff using our labs, I facilitate projects both within QUB and with international collaborators.
In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, nature, music and meeting friends for tea and cake! I have also enjoyed many family times, creating happy memories whilst getting out and about for Sunday drives to the coast or the garden centre to pick up some tomato plants!
My caring responsibilities started a number of years ago. Gradually at first, helping my elderly parents with shopping and appointments, then cooking, cleaning and eventually all aspects of their care. My Mum, at 91, has mixed dementia, and my Dad, at 95, had frailty issues. Around two years ago, I made the decision to move back in with my parents to help them cope. This was difficult with my husband caring also for his own Dad.
With lots of parallel projects on the go in our MEPH labs, and with lab users depending on my technical expertise, it can be challenging to balance staff and students to get work completed within required timeframes. A lot of stamina is required to juggle my caring responsibilities around keeping on track in the lab. Agile working and access to on-site parking have been a fantastic help with this. The support that I have had from our MEPH team, my line manager and the wider Queen's community has been amazing. It really feels like a team effort to push through together.
I had heard about CONNECT, but at first I didn’t join because I felt I had no time to get involved. Luckily for me, I kept hearing more and more about this group. Eventually, I decided to take the plunge and go along to a coffee morning. I had started to feel quite isolated as a carer, and as soon as I arrived, CONNECT brought friendship and support, which was exactly what I needed. Before long, I had signed up for some Mindful Carer sessions, which I found very helpful, and the packed lunches were very good too!
I recommend that any staff who are balancing work and caring reach out to CONNECT. Chatting with other carers and being signposted to a wealth of useful information was more helpful than I’d ever expected.
FIND OUT MORE
CONNECT (Caring for Others Network - Nurturing, Empowering and Communicating Together) meets regularly either in person or via Teams. It provides an opportunity for staff to socialise and seek advice from colleagues who have lived experience of the issues they are facing.
