How Knowing Her Rights Changed One Carer’s Life

From ‘Feeling Like a Machine’ to Feeling Empowered: How Knowing Her Rights Changed One Carer’s Life 

Caring for the people we love is something many of us do without hesitation. Yet its hard, relentless work. Sometimes, we just need some support to help us through. Yet, for many carers, navigating health and social care services to access support can feel like an uphill battle. When support is scarce the impact on a person's identity and well-being can be profound. 

Anne (name and photo changed for privacy) cares for three people, including her daughter, who lives with an exceptionally rare medical condition. For years, Anne found herself facing immense difficulty just trying to get her family's needs understood. 

Navigating a System without Support 

Because her daughter’s condition is so rare, Anne frequently found that health and social care professionals did not understand the symptoms or what support was needed. This lack of understanding often led to scepticism from services when she what she needed was understanding. At the same time, navigating the complex application processes for social care felt overwhelming. Anne explains: 

"Social care has been involved for some time with my daughter due to her care needs. On some occasions I have been made to feel as though I am begging when requesting support – this has made me not want to progress with ongoing requests as our situation changes." 

The constant pressure left Anne with no time for herself. 

"I went four years with no respite due to the terrible application process – I just keep going. When you’re so busy caring for others and have no time at all for yourself you lose who you are as a person. I have felt like a machine." 

When Anne requested just three days of respite to mark her 60th birthday, her local authority challenged the need for night care. Anne was forced to fight the decision using medical evidence she had already provided. 

The Turning Point: Discovering Access Ava 

In 2023, Anne joined a local Carers Board, where she met a member of the Access Social Care team who introduced her to Access Ava, our interactive legal rights chatbot. Desperate to learn what support might actually be available to her family, Anne decided to explore the platform. 

Through Access Ava, Anne watched informative videos, read expert fact sheets before generating letters from templates to use to send to her local authority. The clarity of the information was eye-opening. 

"I didn’t realise there was so much available for carers until I used AccessAva. I wasn't aware that if you weren't caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week that you were still seen as a Carer – I saw that in one of the videos." 

Knowledge is Power 

Armed with a clearer understanding of social care law, Anne’s situation and her view on the situation transformed completely. Knowing her legal rights took away the feeling that she was asking for a favour.  

"When you know there's an actual right there, it just gives you that bit more of empowerment to know that you're not sort of going with a begging bowl. AccessAva educates you on what your rights are as a carer, so once you're aware of that, it makes you more confident to approach your local authority." 

Today, Anne feels stronger, more valued, and confident enough to challenge unfair decisions. Crucially, she is finally able to plan for the respite care she needs to protect her own health. 

"My wellbeing has improved – just knowing that I can get support to go away for a few days and to choose what I do hour by hour during my own time. With respite, I will have time for reflecting, processing and planning – this is crucial for wellbeing. If you don’t get the opportunity to take some space for yourself, it can affect your nervous system, your digestive system and your mental wellbeing." 

Anne now uses Access Ava to help other carers in her community access the information they deserve. 

Do you know your rights as a carer? 

If you are navigating the social care system and need clear, reliable information about the support you or your loved ones are entitled to, try Access Ava today. 

Click on the AccessAva chatbox to explore the resources on Access Ava