Anglian Water partnered with Carers First in November 2021 to provide grants to give their customers who are caring a much needed break. 41 carers received a grant including Pat.
Pat, 69, and her husband care for their son, Matt, 45, who has physical and mental disabilities.
Matt was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour when he was just two years old. The radiation treatment that followed resulted in long-term physical and mental disabilities which have been worsened by a stroke Matt had when he was 29. His health is now sadly on a downward spiral.
Pat says, without resentment, that as a carer she has ‘lived Matt’s life’. She didn’t work for many years because of her caring role and now retired, she and her husband continue to care for Matt.
The physical nature of the caring role has caused Pat back problems. She feels exhausted as an alarm wakes her up every night when Matt needs to go to the toilet. Money is also tight paying for things Matt needs on a pension. Her husband has had prostate cancer in the last year which has put more of the caring role on Pat.
Pat received a ‘Moments for Me’ grant thanks to Carers First partnership with Anglian Water.
Pat used the ‘Moments for Me’ grant for two night break to London with her husband. She says:
“This trip has been on my bucket list but we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the grant. It was such a lovely break after such a hard couple of years. It was something just for us. I didn’t have to do anything for anyone and went to sleep without an alarm. We went to the Theatre and had afternoon tea at the Oxo Tower (a gift from our daughter).
“I want to say a big thanks to Carers First and Anglian Water for my grant. Life can be so hard and carers need something to look forward to. Thank you for this amazing gift.”
There are many ways Anglian Water is helping carers through its Priority Services Register. Pat says: “Anglian Water has helped make sure we are on the right tariff which is helping us manage our bills. It gives me peace of mind that they know our situation with Matt and prioritise us in case of an emergency.”
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