Making a Difference: Sue Gladden’s Lifelong Commitment to Care and Connection

From her early career training as a social worker to her work with adults with learning disabilities and leadership in adult literacy, Sue Gladden has dedicated her life to helping individuals gain essential life skills and navigate challenging circumstances. But perhaps most powerfully, Sue has become a steadfast advocate for unpaid carers — the often-unsung heroes supporting loved ones behind the scenes.

Supporting Carers: A Lifelong Commitment

Sue’s journey into carer support began during her work with adults with learning disabilities. She quickly recognised that while professionals offer essential services, it is often family carers who provide round-the-clock care, advocacy, and emotional support — often without recognition, rest, or resources.

This led Sue to work professionally and voluntarily with carers for more than 20 years on the Wirral. Through support groups, advice sessions, and community events, she helped carers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Now living in Ashton on Mersey with her husband Graham, Sue has wasted no time bringing her passion for carer wellbeing into her new community. In partnership with Rev Catherine Cleghorn, the Rector of St Martin’s Church, and supported by Trafford Carers Centre and Home Instead, Sue helped launch the St Martin’s Church Carers Group — a monthly meet-up offering warmth, connection, and practical advice over homemade soup and cake.

The group welcomes all unpaid carers on the second Thursday of the month from 12:30–2:30pm in the Church Hall on Church Lane, M33 5QQ. No need to book — just turn up. For more information, contact Sue on 07968 236 854 or Rev Catherine on 07813 117 385.

Unpaid carers are the backbone of the social care system — supporting loved ones with dementia, disability, long-term illness, or mental health challenges. Their role often includes:

• Personal care (washing, dressing, eating)

• Managing medication and appointments

• Providing emotional support

• Navigating health and social care systems

• Balancing their caring role with employment or family life

This work can be rewarding — but also isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. Carers often face their own health challenges, and many report feeling invisible or unsupported.

Where to Turn: Trafford Carers Centre and Home Instead

Trafford Carers Centre is a vital local charity offering free, confidential support to unpaid carers of all ages. Their services include:

• One-to-one carer support and advocacy

• Counselling and wellbeing therapies

• Training and education opportunities

• Financial and benefit advice

• Young Carer services

• Monthly support groups and peer meet-ups

💻 Website: www.traffordcarerscentre.org.uk
📞 Carers Helpline: 0161 848 2400

They also offer a Carers Emergency Card scheme — a way to plan for sudden illness or emergencies so that the person you care for is not left without support.

If you or a loved one are starting to think about care options, Home Instead is here to help. Whether you’re looking for guidance on how to start those important care conversations or need practical advice about care costs, we’ve created some helpful resources to support you. Visit our Care Conversations page for tips on how to talk openly and confidently about care needs, and explore our Care Cost advice for clear, straightforward information on funding care. At Home Instead, we’re committed to helping you make informed decisions so you or your loved ones can live well, your way.

Our Client leads can be reached on 0161 870 1136, and are happy to help direct you to the best support for your circumstances

Sue’s commitment to inclusion and community connection extends beyond caring roles. As a trained Reader Leader with The Reader Organisation, she co-runs a Shared Reading Group at Altrincham Librarywith fellow leader Clare. Meeting on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 1:30pm, the group reads short stories, poems, and extracts aloud — opening up thoughtful conversation and reflection.

Shared Reading creates a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds — including those with English as a second language or who struggle with reading — can enjoy literature together.

A Lasting Impact

Whether offering a listening ear, supporting people to find their voice, or fostering community through words and friendship, Sue Gladden continues to make a lasting difference. Her life’s work is a shining example of what happens when care, connection, and compassion come together.