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Katie Smith was born on Christmas Day in 1945 in Birkenhead.

鈥淚 lived abroad a lot as a child in places like as Hong Kong, Malaya and Egypt because my dad was in the army."

Her 92-year-old mum has just gone into residential care after being cared for by Katie for several years.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 cope, as she needed care 24/7. When I became ill with breast cancer she was still at home with all the relevant assistive technology devices like a chair with a riser and stair lift.

鈥淚 felt I鈥檇 let her down and I felt quite angry because she wanted to stay at home with all her bits and pieces around her鈥�.

A busy life, but a nursing background helped

Katie is divorced and has a daughter and two grandchildren, she also helps her daughter鈥檚 family quite a bit. Katie's former career helps in her new role fighting for carers in York.

鈥淚 have been a nurse specialising in psychiatry and elderly care which set me in good stead for what was to come.

鈥淧eople in these circumstances often struggle with discovering their rights and what to do as a carer. I had a lot of information through my work and had a bit of a head start and I鈥檝e been able to fight really.鈥�

Katie is the secretary of the Carers Forum which is being launched in York on Thursday 4th September.

Ill health forced early retirement

Katie eventually had to give up nursing early owing to back trouble. However, before she had chance to reap the rewards of a long career with a fruitful retirement, Katie took on the role of her mum鈥檚 carer.

鈥淢y cancer was very frightening because I had it twice in the breast and ended up having a mastectomy. I worried about who would look after my mum and my daughter if I wasn鈥檛 around. I thought I was going to die.

鈥淚 feel fine now and I would say keep a check on yourself and look after your health, especially if you鈥檙e a carer鈥�.

Hope for new Carers Forum

鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to get more carers out of the woodwork and to hold those who provide services for carers to account. All carers are experts too and our voice counts. We want all the carers in York to add their voice to our new group.鈥�

鈥淲e want to link with other organisations and produce a regular newsletter for carers so that they can share experiences and benefit from our collective strength鈥�.

For more information about the York Carers Forum call the CSV Actionline at 91热爆 Radio York on 01904 610606 or fill in the form below.