AN INNOVATIVE project at Coventry University is documenting carers’ experiences through photographs and film to help students understand more about their roles.
Involving carers taking pictures during a two-week period to illustrate the issues they face in daily life, the project turns images and captions into films – which will be screened to health and social care students.
It is hoped insight into the films will influence students’ work as they embark on their careers as health and social care professionals.
To date, one carer’s film has been watched by first year nursing students.
Another film has just been completed and is due to be screened to undergraduates soon while another film is edited.
The university now hopes to enlist a young carer and someone who cares for a dementia patient for further features.
Yvette Brown, a senior lecturer in mental health nursing – who came up with the idea for the project – said: “It’s not easy to get carers into the classroom as they have so many responsibilities and very little time.
“But we wanted to make students more aware about the issues they face.
“With this project, the carers can really control the messages.
“It is a very valuable teaching and learning resource.”
Faye Tomlinson, who lives in Earlsdon, cares for her five-year-old son who has complex health needs – and was the first person to take pictures for the project.
She said: “I got involved to give carers a voice and to try to make a difference.
“I wanted there to be a real depth of reflection and to transfer my experience into their roles – it was very empowering.
“The key thing for me to get across was the lack of time I have.
“There were some difficult pictures for me to include – especially the one of my son in hospital – but people need to see it.”
First-year adult nursing student Jade Conroy said: “The film gives you a good opportunity to find out what carers think and experience.
“It really shows how to talk to someone to make it easier for them and that’s something we will remember.”
