As episodes continue rolling out, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on what creating this season has taught us starting with our new host Billy Bentley, whose understanding of caring changed profoundly throughout the process.
“Coming into this role I learned that I had been a carer myself,” he said.
“When I was in my 20s my nan came to live with us for the last 10 years of her life. We would look after her meals, her doctor’s appointments, her medication.
“We didn’t know it then, we thought we were just doing what family does, but we were actually caring for a loved one.”
Tune in to Care host Billy Bentley and episode 2 guest and carer Sally Brown
Billy, who has an extensive media background as a TV presenter, actor, MC and voice artist, thoroughly researched Wellways Carer Gateway before stepping into the role of host, but it was speaking to carers directly that shifted his perspective.
“When you start speaking to the carers you understand how critical it is for these services to be in place,” he said.
“I think most people across Australia wouldn’t understand what a carer is, because on a day-to-day basis we fall into the trap of saying, “Oh, I’m just a family member” or “I’m a mum”, “I’m a dad”.
“I went into this role trying to understand, who carers are and the overarching lesson was – one: none of them wanted to recognise they were a carer at some point in their journey.
“Two: they’re now happy to recognise they’re carers because it means they’re not just a loved one looking out for someone.
“And three: now in recognising they’re carers, they’re relieved that there’s support available to them.”
Tune in to Care producer Nick Robinson, host Billy Bentley, Wellways General Manager Public Affairs and Communication Ryan Christie and Wellways Carer Gateway Senior Marketing Advisor Amberleigh Sparks at the Clearshot Digital studio in Brisbane.
Hearing the carer stories highlighted the importance of amplifying carer voices so they’re not isolated.
“Listening to the carers it feels like they’ve finally found people who listen and I often heard carers say, “I finally felt heard”, “I finally felt like someone cared about me”,” Billy said.
“I get goosebumps just talking about it because the overarching message was that they wanted others to find that for them at the right moment.”
: Tune in to Care host Billy Bentley interviewing Director Family and Carer Services at Wellways Carer Gateway Rachael Lovelock
Working on season 3 reinforced in Billy the belief that Tune in to Care isn’t just a podcast for carers but essential listening for anyone wanting to understand the realities of caring.
“People should listen to season 3 of Tune in to Care for an understanding of real-life experiences of what it’s like to be a carer and the impact that government support systems can have through organisations like Wellways,” he said.
“And most importantly to hopefully learn that there’s someone there for them if they are a carer and haven’t realised it yet, or they’re not in this situation but know someone who is.”
Wrapping up his hosting role for season 3, Billy says it has been an honour to embark on this journey with both carers and listeners.
“This was a great experience, it really opened my eyes to the challenges that so many people across Australia face every day,” he said.
“There were tears, laughter and real moments of vulnerability.
“The beauty of this experience is that carers were so vulnerable and so willing to share their stories in the hope it helps someone else.”
Tune in to Care is out now. Catch up with our previous seasons before exploring innovation in caring in season 3. Listen on all your favourite podcast platforms or watch it on YouTube.