The Privilege of Supporting Carers: A Coach’s Perspective

I FELT SO ALONE.

It was a Tuesday night, around 10:30 pm,. For the first time that day, I had a moment to sit down—a rare luxury in my crazy life. As I sank into the sofa, the constant pings from the mums’ WhatsApp group buzzing about the latest night out hardly registered with me. My mind felt like it was about to explode, overwhelmed by all the responsibilities I was juggling—supporting my mum with Alzheimer’s, who seemed to be declining faster by the minute, helping my dad, her primary carer, raising three young children, all while holding down a senior job in the NHS. Was I the only one dealing with all of this?

Every day, I’d engage in countless conversations with colleagues, family, and friends, yet despite the chatter, I felt utterly alone and isolated. How do others seem to sail through their days while I was in survival mode—parenting, caring, and working all at once? With absolutely no time to even think about me at all—it was all about supporting others and getting through.

This was me two years ago, in the thick of the “Sandwich Generation,” juggling life with caring for parents.

In the UK, around 1 in 5 people are looking after or caring for their parents or elderly relatives—a massively growing issue as life expectancies increase and the demands on working adults grow. The impact on mental and physical wellbeing, career progression, and personal relationships can be profound, yet carers often face these challenges without sufficient support. My experiences in this context ignited a passion within me to support others, leading to the launch of Sandwich Generation Support.

Sandwich Generation Support

After a 21-year career in the NHS, leading on wide portfolios at national, regional, and local levels, I decided to take voluntary redundancy and take a huge step into a new world, launching Sandwich Generation Support.

I’d experienced firsthand the impacts of juggling caring for parents with work and children, and it had truly ignited a fire inside me to support others in a similar position, providing the very kind of help I had been searching for when I needed it most.

How I Work with Carers and Organisations

Through Sandwich Generation Support, I work with organisations and individuals to raise awareness of those caring for parents and to provide dedicated support to those in the sandwich generation—through workshops and training, through 360 reviews, and, closest to my heart, through the power of coaching.

 My Personal Journey into Coaching

I was first introduced to coaching many years ago by a very special friend as we worked together in the NHS to help transform IT and technology to better support patients. In 2013, I got my first coaching qualification just before going on maternity leave with my first child. Over the years, I continued to develop my coaching skills, becoming ICF accredited in 2021 and renewing that accreditation this year, in 2024, with Tracy Sinclair.

How I Now Use These Skills to Support Those Caring for Parents

As a coach specialising in supporting the Sandwich Generation, I feel privileged to create a space for individuals navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives. It’s not just about offering practical tools or strategies; it’s about holding space for people who are often stretched thin, juggling numerous responsibilities. And it’s a true honour.

I’ve witnessed incredible transformations in my clients. Many come to coaching feeling completely overwhelmed, unsure of how they’re going to keep going. Through our sessions, they gain clarity, find practical solutions to their immediate challenges, and begin to prioritise their own wellbeing in ways they hadn’t imagined possible. It’s always the little things that make the biggest difference!

One client I worked with was on the verge of quitting her job because she couldn’t balance the demands of caring for her mother and her role at work. Through our coaching sessions, she found ways to establish boundaries and prioritise both her career and her caring responsibilities. She later told me, “For the first time in years, I feel like I have permission to look after myself.” That shift in perspective made all the difference.

Standing Together in Support

What makes this work so meaningful for me is the privilege of walking alongside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I know firsthand how it feels to be torn in so many directions. That’s why I’m so passionate about creating a space where carers can reconnect with themselves, reflect, and make decisions from a place of clarity and self-compassion.

The journey of a carer is ongoing, and every stage brings new challenges. But with the right support, carers can find a way to navigate this journey with empowerment rather than defeat.

For further information about how I support those caring for parents through coaching, visit: sandwichgenerationsupport.co.uk or email me at sherry@sandwichgenerationsupport.co.uk.

I’d love to connect.

Sherry King is a Coach and Founder of Sandwich Generation Support, dedicated to empowering those who care for parents or elderly relatives. After over 21 years in senior leadership roles within the NHS, Sherry recognised the profound challenges faced by the Sandwich Generation and was inspired to create a space for support and connection. Through her workshops and coaching, she helps individuals navigate their unique caring journeys. Sherry is an ICF-accredited coach and is committed to raising awareness about the needs of carers, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Learn more at sandwichgenerationsupport.co.uk and connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.