Our Sitters – Carers Sitter Service

Meet the team

PAULA HARDING (Co-Ordinator)

I’m Paula, Carer Sitter Service Coordinator. I enjoy my role as I get the opportunity to meet various people, often at meetings but mostly visiting Carers and their Dependents in their own homes. That’s my favourite bit as it is always so interesting listening to their life stories while assessing how the Carers Sitters Service can help them. It is important to find out a bit of background about our couples as it helps us to decided which of our lovely dedicated volunteers would be best suited. About me.. Always worked with the older generation, previously managed Retirement Housing and was a Carer to my mum and others. I completed my Health and Social Care Diploma some years back, undertaken Bereavement Training and last year qualified as a Funeral Celebrant.

SARA BANKS (Admin)

I am Sara, the administrator with the CSS and I joined in October 2021. I am a mum to two wonderful young boys, one of whom has additional needs. During the time of his diagnosis, learning new ways of managing everyday life and still being mummy, I lost sight of being just Sara.

With the help of family and friends, support networks and agencies, and my new role here at CSS, I feel like I was able to rediscover her! This made me more determined to help those who perhaps haven’t got as much help and support around them. I have always admired and appreciated those who care for their loved ones 24/7. All they want is the best for them and sometimes their needs get put aside.

Everyone needs some ‘me’ time though, if only for an hour or two. I took on my role with the CSS, alongside Paula, to help this incredible charity grow and flourish, so that we may help as many carers as possible find they’re ‘me’ time.

Graham Thompson - Chairman

I am a family man and enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. I have a background in management consultancy and audit I have been involved with the Carer Sitters Service since June 2023, initially to help with the Bookkeeping and producing accounts I have now become a Trustee and have been elected as Chair of the Trustee Body

trudie anders (Trustee)

My name is Trudie Anders and I started volunteering for CSS in 2017 following my retirement from working as a Community Physiotherapist in Bourne. Initially I volunteered for several roles in the Evergreen Care Trust which was very interesting but involved a lot of travelling as they are based in Stamford. I really enjoy volunteering as a sitter because it allows me to build a relationship with the Carers and their dependent relatives. It is very satisfying to give an exhausted carer a break and to hopefully bring a little joy to their loved one. Their gratitude makes it very worthwhile. I have met so many wonderful people during my seven years of volunteering and it’s a real pleasure to be involved with the Carers Sitters Service. I have recently become a Trustee of CSS to help with the running of the charity.

WHY WE CARE

At the Carer Sitter Service we recognise that many Carers looking after their loved ones 24 hours a day 7 days a week often have a tendency to put themselves last.

With the cost of Professional Care being expensive, many Carers will often only pay for the day to day care of their loved ones. They sometimes consider any time for themselves an unnecessary expensive.

The Carer Sitter Service provides free voluntary support by matching up Sitters to Carers and loved ones, in order for the Carer to get that much needed and well deserved break.

How can you help? - Join Us!

We are always looking for new volunteers. If you have a few spare hours and want to do something rewarding and worthwhile…this is for you! Please get in touch with our office, who can point you in the right direction. Travel expenses are paid and no formal qualifications are required. We will perform a DBS check and ask for references. Training and support will be provided and will be ongoing.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO HELP OTHERS

The Carers Sitter Service is a charitable organisation. Registered Charity No. 1040408