Do you care?

In this episode Caroline meets with Vinnie. Vinnie talks openly and candidly about how the deterioration in her health felt like a bereavement to her. Vinnie's health deteriorated shortly after losing her wife therefore this was a second challenge Vinnie had to overcome in a relatively short period of time. 

Vinnie shares really positively how having some care and support on a regular basis has now helped her regain her independence meaning she can get out again and enjoy living her life; health permitting. 

In this episode Vinnie and Caroline discuss attending Manchester pride in th...

Caroline is joined today by Judith and Fiona who share their thoughts on what makes a good care worker. This episode will be useful for people looking for care and support services as well as family members. It will also be highly relevant to those working in adult social care or those considering a career in the sector. Today's discussion is frank and based on  previous and current experience. 

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk

In this episode Caroline is joined by Stacey, Clifton Homecare's care planing lead. Stacey has worked in the sector for several years and she is currently completing her level 4 Lead Practitioner in Health and Social care at the time of the episode going live. 

Stacey and Caroline discuss the importance of thorough and accurate care planning and how this helps ensure the team can provide good quality, safe care. 

During the episode we talk about NEWS 2; the National Early Warning score - see this link for further details; NHS England » National Early Warning Score (NEWS).

In this episode Caroline is joined by Clifton Homecare's Mentoring Lead, Maria Berry. Maria talks about her role within the team, the benefits of mentoring and how she feels every social care team should have access to this level of support. 

Maria also talks about her role as a Team Leader and the synergy between leading and supporting a team helps people thrive, personally and professionally.  

Linked Information:

Maria and Caroline refer to Lars during this conversation. Lars providers Leadership support and his details are: 

Lars Isaksen - lars@larsisaksen.com 

Caroline and Craig discuss how Craig's redundancy made it necessary for him to look for another job in the early part of 2021; at the start of the COVID pandemic. It is fair to say Craig was not sure this was going to be a role for him, especially not because he was going to be supporting people with personal care. Together they discuss this and what a role in the adult social care sector actually looks like - as opposed to assumptions made and misperceptions. Craig summarises his journey to date and how he has risen from Domiciliary care...

In this episode Caroline is joined by Lauren Taylor, Clifton Homecare's Assistant Manager. Lauren shares with listeners what her role consist of and how varied she finds this. Lauren is enjoying a long and fruitful career in adult social care and she reflects on her journey to date. Lauren feels lucky to be working in the adult social care sector and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of her role, especially when she is supporting the team to make a difference to clients and their families.  As part of her role, Lauren regularly responds to clients who are unwell or who h...

Caroline is joined by Margaret for the first episode of series 2. 

Up until late 2024 Margaret was Clifton Homecare's Registered Manager. She now fulfills a part time client liaison role - where she enjoys spending time helping and supporting clients and their families navigate their journey when requiring social care support. 

Caroline and Margaret chat about Margaret's journey into social care, how it was an accidental step into care and Margaret's long and fruitful career to date. Margaret shares the highs and lows of her career and gives some top tips to others considering a career in...

Caroline is joined by Fiona and Judith to discuss what makes a good carer. Judith shares her insights as an informal carer and Fiona, as a very independent client. They discuss how respectful communication, a sense of humour and asking rather than assuming can help put people at ease. They explore the importance of patience, empathy and the benefits that varied and interesting conversations have. Continuity of care and the building or friendships definitely runs as a theme throughout this podcast, that in some cases this happens quickly and in other cases it takes a little more time. 

Caroline and David Kinvig who is a local, Lancashire based Counsellor and Psychotherapist discuss the impact and management of grief for all; including clients, family members, informal and formal carers. David works across a range of specialities such as psychosexual, family, bereavement and grief and provides generic counselling services. David is also a clinical case supervisor.

This podcast will be especially educational and interesting to a wide range of people living and working in or around social care settings.

David talks about the different types of grief, how care providers and teams can help support...

Caroline and Winifred discuss what it means to her and her family when the care team, especially Linda get it right when providing care and support to her. They explore how to get the most out of your relationship with a care worker and what does make the difference to people. Winifred tells listeners about her harmonious relationship which she has built with her care worker and how this not only helps her physically but mentally too. 

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://c...

Caroline and Vinnie discuss how Vinnie's deteriorating health left her feeling angry and facing a sense of loss, which in her words felt like a bereavement. Up until Vinnie's hospital discharge she had been incredibly independent and it took her time to accept she needed help and support. 

Vinnie researched and met with several homecare providers before choosing Clifton Homecare. She talks openly about how the care and support has helped her regain her independence, subsequently increasing her confidence again. 

Vinnie and Caroline attended Manchester pride in the summer of 2025 and they discuss what a fa...

Caroline chats to Jo about her late Father Roy. 

Jo was Roy's informal carer and after losing her Mum, Jo and Roy became ever closer. 

Roy came to accept that he had had a good, long life and actively talked to Jo about his wishes in the event of his death. Although this was difficult at first for Jo, the peace she saw this bring to her Dad helped her to also accept that this was approaching.

Jo shares top tips that helped her and her family cope with the loss of Roy, in...

Judith and Caroline discuss how Judith agreed to accept support for her husband Ian, after a very powerful conversation with their son. They chat about the importance of trust, acceptance and advocacy when arranging care and how the right care package will meet both the client's and informal carer's needs.

Arranging care is not always straight forward but Judith demonstrates how with perseverance and strength you can get it right for the person requiring care and highlights how a care team can become extension to your family. 

For further information please do not hesitate to c...

Choosing a care provider for you or a loved one can be daunting to say the least. In this episode Caroline chats to Chris, the wife of Phil who had a very stressful experience securing long term care provision. 

Chris and Caroline  give top tips on how to choose a homecare provider. They discuss the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) role as a health and social care regulator and other ways you can appraise a care provider if their rating is aged. 

Chris talks about being in a child-less relationship and how choosing the right care pro...

This is the trailer for the podcast series "Do you care?" - aimed at family members of loved ones. This is just a flavour of what you can expect from this series.

Contact Caroline on caroline@cliftonhcl.co.uk for a friendly chat. This is Clifton Homecare's website for further information; https://cliftonhcl.co.uk