Written by Jenny Holt, Freelance Health Writer
Being called an “empath” is not an insult. Too often, people think of their gift of being a highly-sensitive individual as a curse rather than a strength. Below, we will look at how being an empath makes you perfectly suited to being a carer, and what you can do to ensure the positive aspects of being an empath outweigh the negative.
What Sets You Apart as an Empath
When you first hear the term “empath,” you might get a negative impression, as you would with the other “-path” labels: sociopath, psychopath, etc. Many people may think of a someone ‘who just needs to grow thicker skin’, ‘stop being so selfless’, and ‘stop being so darn sensitive’. However, as we grow as a society to understand that people’s feelings and emotions are important, the empath label can, and should, be worn like a badge of honour. [Read more…]
Volunteers’ Week for One Community began with a thank you tea party for One Community volunteers and their guests at the newly opened Lakeside Centre at Lakeside Country Park, where on a hot summer’s afternoon on 2 June the glass walls were drawn back and everyone could admire the views over the lakes. Home-made cakes and scones were served and Chief Executive Jean Roberts-Jones took the opportunity to thank the volunteers who make the delivery of One Community services possible. 
One Community’s 
Caregivers typically help family members or someone in the home who needs assistance on a regular basis. Spanning from daily to weekly services, carers are often related to the cared for person, usually they are adult children (and sadly sometimes minors too) who are now taking care of senior parents. Being a caregiver is physically and emotionally demanding, with many adult children feeling forced into a corner leading to feelings of guilt and frustration. Over time, the stress can grow and negatively impact the experience for the carer, as well as the person receiving the care. 
