WILTSHIRE LIFE Awards 2018 9
SPONSORED BY
Carer of the Year
Winner Danielle Hewer
Danielle is only 26 years old but those 26 years have been a rollercoaster. She became a carer for
her brother, who sadly died of cancer, and now looks after her mum, who suffers from chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease and has to have an oxygen tank with her at all times.
When Danielle was 22, her father left the family home and Danielle had to give up work to
be her mum’s main carer. The physical difficulties (mum is in a wheelchair) and mental stress
of being a carer took their toll on Danielle, but she continued putting her mum first. That’s
what young carers do, day in, day out.
Now, Danielle is learning to put herself first sometimes, with the help of the young adult
carer team at Carer Support Wiltshire. Described as clever, warm and witty, she has been
involved in a project to develop an online support platform for young carers.
There are thousands like Danielle who don’t get the support they need, but Danielle winning
this award can help shine the spotlight on a hidden army of young people who need our help.
Second place Rosie Eliot
Rosie has been nominated for her hard work and kindness in running the Wessex MS Therapy
Centre in Warminster. The charity has 300 members, mostly local people with multiple
sclerosis, their families and carers. It seems like Rosie knows everyone’s first name, despite being
kept busy raising £200,000 each year for running costs. Her innovations include the MS Travel
Fund, which pays 50% of patients’ travelling costs from rural areas; the MS Buddy Scheme,
offering companionship in the home; and a tranquil therapy garden.
Third place Walter Ogilvie
Walter Ogilvie has been a support worker for Alzheimer’s Support for more than 10 years,
visiting people with dementia in their own homes for two to three hours at a time, offering
emotional support, companionship and stimulating activities. He is an experienced and highly
empathetic carer who goes the extra mile for his clients, getting to know their past lives, families
and pastimes. His work with one client, Gordon, involved visiting his previous home where
Gordon was able to regale the current owners with stories about the house.
Danielle’s win can
help shine the spotlight
on a hidden army of
young people who
need our help