Embassy Empathy to

Life in an African embassy seems worlds apart from that of a family carer in Southport. Nurse Sara Yearsley tells MC Magazine how skills from her role in the UK diplomatic service help in her new life as carer for her mum.

Working for the Foreign Office was Sara’s dream. She served as a diplomat in Rwanda as the country dealt with the traumatic legacy of genocide and later worked as a political advisor at the United Nations. But when her stepdad became terminally ill, she decided it was time to return home to help her mum Liz care for him at home in his final months.

Sara retrained as a nurse and 15 years on, she works part time in Sefton Treatment Rooms and is a carer for Liz, who now has mobility and memory problems.

Sara admits that adjusting to life in Rwanda wasn’t easy and she had to find ways to keep up her own morale.

“All your experiences shape you but my time in Rwanda made a huge impact.

“I was working on setting up a new visa service using fingerprint data, so I had to build trust in people who had been through so much.

“It took persistence and an understanding of what people needed from me. Carers do all of this every day.”

Sara admits becoming a carer for the first time can be a daunting proposition.

“It can be scary dealing with things you have never faced before, whether it’s moving to Africa or seeing someone you love in pain.

“When I’m filling in forms or speaking to doctors, I carefully choose information I need to give to get mum what she needs. And if I don’t get the answer I need today, I try again tomorrow.”

Sara describes being able to help her mum as a ‘privilege’ and admits that there are definite positives from her experience as a carer.

“I’ve never regretted my decision to come home for a second. I have quality time with my mum - she was a model in her younger days and I rely on her eye for fashion tips!”

Sara’s Top Caring Tips

• Know your rights. If you are helping a loved one with their shopping, cleaning, appointments or bills, you are a family carer and support is available for you. Mersey Care’s website has a dedicated section for carers: merseycare.nhs.uk/carers

• Reach out for help. Filling in forms – like blue badge applications or carers’ allowance – can be daunting

• There are no right or wrong decisions – you will know what solution works for you and your family

• Take up the opportunity to talk to other carers. The Carers Trust can signpost you to organisations in your local area.