When Jan started overseeing the care of her elderly parents at the end of 2017, she discovered aspects of the law in social care which shocked her. It was during this time that she fought for nine months, on her father's behalf, to enable him to return home, following being placed in a care home against his will. Her journey for the following five years included managing varying aspects of care as well as under-taking it herself for her parents who lived on the other side of the country. As varying challenges became apparent (only some of which are included here) she realised how many other people have these experiences which are mainly new to everyone, but frequently not shared. After both her parents died she decided to walk the landscape from Sussex to Somerset to help her grieving process. This is her story of the physical walk together with memories of her parents and sharing experiences in social care in the hope that it will help others in the same situation. Jan lives in Wiveliscombe in Somerset and has a son and two beautiful grand-daughters. She has developed public health campaigns and has had a particular interest in the social impacts on mental health. As part of this belief she has set up community projects to enable different generations to learn traditional skills and connect with their local landscape and history. She believes in equality, honouring difference and human rights (whatever your age) - and most of all the importance of caring communities.
