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Mother's pain inspired creation of carers charity

Carers in Bedfordshire Yvonne Clark looks directly at the camera as works on paperwork at a desk in a conservatory. She is wearing a blue and white top and has a gold watch on her left arm. Her desk is filled with office supplies, including a computer, printer and keyboard. She is sitting sideways to the camera on an office chair.Carers in Bedfordshire
Yvonne Clark created Carers in Bedfordshire in 2004, and in the early days worked from her home office in Bedfordshire

A mother was inspired to found a charity 20 years ago after becoming a carer to her 16-year-old son when he sustained a head injury in a motorbike crash.

Yvonne Clark, 80, created Carers in Bedfordshire in 2004, with her brother-in-law, Paul Brasier, as at the time "there was very little help" for those in her position, she said.

When her son, Graham, died aged 21 in 1990, she said she wanted to put the lessons she had learnt "to good use" as "you've got to have good come out of the bad".

The charity helps unpaid carers of all ages and backgrounds to cope with the emotional and physical stress of caring responsibilities. It currently has 13,000 registered unpaid carers.

Supplied Yvonne Clark stands beside a second woman, they are both wearing green tops which read "Carers in Bedfordshire". They are holding a large white cake, in a box which has "First Carer's Cafe" decorated on it. They are both in a kitchen and looking at the camera and smiling.Supplied
The charity supports carers and Mrs Clark (left) created a Carer's Cafe

Mrs Clark said: "When I started caring for my son in 1985, there was very little help then for any carers.

"It was very lonely as looking after someone with a mental illness is very hard, it was a real struggle."

She said after her son passed away she went to work for the charity Carers in Hertfordshire.

"I saw how amazing their service was, so wanted to start something here in Bedfordshire as good as what was running in Hertfordshire.

"I wanted to put the lessons I had learnt to good use, I wanted there to be a point of contact for carers, someone they could speak to, you've got to have good come out of the bad."

Carers in Bedfordshire Anne Grant and Yvonne Clark, standing in front of a Carers in Bedfordshire sign, which reads: "Do you look after a family member of friend who cannot manage without you?" Mrs Grant is wearing a checked top and a beige jacket, Mrs Clark is wearing a leopard print top and dark cardigan. They are both looking straight at the camera and smiling.Carers in Bedfordshire
Anne Grant (left) joined Carers in Bedfordshire soon after it was founded by Yvonne Clark

A conference to mark the charity's 20-year anniversary will take place at King's House, Bedford, on Thursday.

It aims to reflect on how far the Bedford-based group has come and also "shape the future of carer support", the charity said.

Chris Stelling, the charity's chief executive officer, said: "We offer more services than ever before, keeping true to Yvonne’s original mission to put carers first."

Mrs Clark said to see how the charity has grown over the years was "wonderful, I'm so proud".

It was a "listening ear" that also handed out support and information.

"Don't be alone, don't struggle, call and get help," she added.

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