Marking the start of National Carers Week 2024 artist Sharon Bailey presented a newly commissioned piece of drama alongside a large exhibition of photographic placards, made with paid and unpaid carers across the region. 

A delicate, moving rallying cry.  So beautiful, authentic and inspiring!

This has been a labour of love. I thought I knew about caring, the challenges and rewards. I was wrong. I met carers on the very brink of coping, battling a system that needs urgent reform. 

When I was making my ‘Home Alone’ project, I met both paid and voluntary caregivers, and knew then I had to tell this side of the story - the care that is needed to allow people to live at home independently, to live well and happy.

Care is a story that is rarely told and often happening out of sight and behind closed doors. Carers often get a bad press or are simply ignored, receiving very little support and recognition for one of the hardest yet most important jobs we can do as humans.

Thank you to all the many dedicated, passionate and skilled carers I met in making I CARE! Thank you for giving me your time so generously and for sharing with me some of your intimate and challenging experiences.

The exhibition of placards and my newly commissioned play, ‘Two Sides of the Same Coin’, is made for all of you who care. It’s made in the hope that change can and will happen and that projects like this can play their part.

I CARE! is a story about love, duty and struggle.  It’s a story about people giving care, despite the challenges, and coming together to ask a simple question.  We care, do you? 

For 8 months artist Sharon Bailey met carer groups in Durham, South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle and visited homes ‘shadowing’ carers. 

Her I CARE! diaries have been brought to life by Catrina McHugh MBE, of Open Clasp Theatre. ‘Two sides of the Same Coin’, is performed by actors Judi Earl and Beth Crame, theatre direction is by Rachael Walsh and the stage manager is Rachel Glover.

The placards were produced using original designs by artist Josie Brookes, with the placards holders designed and made by Jon Codd.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, South Tyneside Council, Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council and No More Nowt, County Durham.

Durham Carers- Consett, Easington & Horden, Barnard Castle groups
Supportive Home Care
Crescent Home Care
Gateshead Carers
Leam Lane Dementia support group
South Tyneside Carers
South Tyneside Young Carers
South Tyneside Carers Dementia drop-in

Bilton Hall Community Centre, Jarrow

CeraCare, South Tyneside
Newcastle Young Carers
St Anthony’s Home Care, Newcastle
Search Dementia Drop in, Newcastle