James Townsend, the co-founder of Mobilise, is on a mission to transform the way the UK's growing number of informal carers access support.

James has over ten years of experience setting up and leading socially impactful organisations. He was formerly Teach First President, and set up the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership, facilitating 135,000 teachers, leaders and support staff into a learning community.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mobilise is an online platform where carers can meet for a chat over a “virtual cuppa” and access vital information about the outbreak from their homes. A number of unpaid carers are finding emotional support through the lockdown period by joining a new virtual community.

At a time when we’re all worried about health, caring for someone you love is extremely stressful. James mentioned that he wants carers to know there is an online community available for them.

It has undoubtedly become a time where caring is very important. With Mobilise, they make sure nobody has to learn how to be a carer on their own and gets the needed support to be a carer.

It can be hard to know what to do when supporting someone, especially in the current situation we are facing. Giving and receiving support from others is a basic human need. The goal of social support is to decrease stress. If you are looking to decrease stress by developing a support network, start with people who understands where you're coming from.

Support comes in many forms, and it is helpful to have a variety of different resources to lean on.

Helpful tips

1 Evaluate who may be helpful.
2 Join a book club.
3 Be willing to ask for help.
4 Let important people in your life know that you appreciate them.

The coronavirus pandemic is overwhelming, and one of the most excruciating parts for many people is the feeling of utter helplessness in the face of widespread suffering and hardship. Though staying inside and staying healthy are the most crucial ways to stave off this outbreak, it’s the face-to-face interactions that we yearn for, the technology just makes it all a bit easier.

Technology has been fundamental in allowing people to do the things they love remotely; from online fitness classes to socialising with friends.

Out of all of this, unique ways of doing the things we love have emerged through the use of technology, and people are quickly adapting themselves to this new way of living.

Special Guest: James Townsend.

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