By Christine Torres, Field Care Supervisor & Research Intern
‘A personal reflection on community care, lived experience, how frontline insight can shape better dementia research and starting out in the world of research as a paid carer.’
Working in community care has taught me that every person is unique. It’s never just a routine, it’s someone’s life, memories and identity. That’s why person-led care matters so much to me. Most days, I’m out around Wigan supporting carers on shift, responding to on-call situations, completing assessments, updating care plans and carrying out spot checks to make sure our service users receive the highest standard of care. It can be tiring, but it’s also the most rewarding part of my life.
When I don’t see the people I support, I genuinely miss them. Their routines, their favourite songs, the smile they give when they feel safe, those moments stay with me. A little reassurance can change their whole day. This isn’t just a job to me; it’s a vocation and a big part of who I am.
Taking a Leap Into Research
When I applied for the Equadem internship, I didn’t come from an academic background. Walking into the interview felt completely out of my comfort zone, and I wondered if it was meant for people who were more academic than me. But the team proved me wrong! Straightaway they were so helpful, accommodating and genuinely supportive. I learn something new every time, things I would never have learned anywhere else. I’m surrounded by people with incredible knowledge, and they teach me in a way that makes me feel included, not intimidated.
The workshops and discussions opened doors I never imagined. I felt nervous at first, but then I thought about my everyday work walking into homes, meeting new people and facing unpredictable moments with calm. If I can do that, I can speak up in a room of researchers. That’s when it hit me: my experience matters. I’ve seen the gaps, I’ve felt the challenges, and sharing this can help improve things for the whole community.
A huge part of my confidence came from Caring Connections. Paul, our CEO, supported me throughout my application, and knowing the organisation believed in me helped me believe in myself.
Why Person-Led Care Still Matters
Care is more than tasks. It’s the small details, the changes you notice, the way you communicate, the things that help someone feel safe. That’s what makes care truly personal.
Bringing Practice and Research Together
This internship has shown me how powerful it is when real-life experience meets academic understanding. The inequalities I see every day cultural gaps, communication barriers, missing information now make sense in a wider context.
Equadem has also helped me support staff and families on a deeper level. I now understand the support they can access through Equadem workshops, conferences, opportunities to share lived experience, and networking events where people can talk openly and learn from each other. Families have been relieved to hear they’re not alone, and some have even wanted to get involved themselves.
Being part of Equadem has made me a bridge, connecting unpaid carers and families with support, learning and a voice in research.
I’m proud to bring my frontline experience into work that aims to make care fairer, kinder and more person-led. This internship has shown me just how important our everyday moments in the community really are.