Hi @nashy + everyone
1. How comfortable are you with the term carer?
It is all about context. (imo)
In the context of the forum totally comfortable... Having said that I would never tell anyone outside of official channels that I was a carer. Rather I support my wife. Even here I prefer to say that I support my wife.
In the context of this forum if I saw something for support people I would reinterpret this as people in paid roles.
2. Do you think calling the forum here 'Carer Forum' comes with challenges?
I think everyone's individual stories will make this different but for me when I first found the forum in a time of crisis it spelled out clearly what the forum was about. This was a good thing.
The reality is that while what I do is support that support is essential for day to day functioning.
3. What other term do you identify or connect with? Why?
In all but official channels I like to use the term 'I suppprt my wife who lives with mh challenges'
4. What do you think about the term ‘Family & Friends’ or “Family, Friends & Carer’ (including the name Family & Friends Forum)?
I personally think this is a bit long winded and vague. In the context of the forum (how I saw initially found it) is people who care... formally or informally.
While family and friends etc play a big role and I don't want to minimise the level of care these people provide (lots of people fit this description here) I do believe 'carer' identifies some one who 'goes the extra mile' this often but not always includes above mentioned people. I believe that this would actually minimise the valuable support that 'carers' provide.
For me also, accepting the concept of carer rather than simply supporting spouse was an essential step in actually seeking support for myself. That is a journey that really started here despite being officially recognised as a carer much earlier.
So (based on my experience) carer forum is of much greater value. Understanding however that others may have a very different experience and respectful of those feelings in no way want to minimise that.
