Independent personal assistants and carers are being asked to do more than ever, and most of it happens behind the scenes. Sadie is finally pulling back the curtain on a new October project built to bring clarity, confidence, and community to self-employed care workers who are tired of figuring it all out alone.

This episode introduces The A to Z of Being a Self-Employed Personal Assistant - a Substack project that breaks the role down into 26 letters, from accountability, boundaries, contracts, and dementia care to money, notes, professionalism, sustainability, and zero tolerance for disrespect.

Sadie also explains the crucial difference between the paid work clients see and the unpaid work that quietly fuels the job: admin, planning, emotional labour, development, and support that can easily lead to burnout if it is not recognised. You’ll discover:

• why boundaries are not optional, they are the backbone of sustainable independent care
• how contracts, legislation, HMRC, DBS, and safeguarding protect both you and your clients
• what good care actually looks like when professionalism, quality, and presence matter more than perfection
• how to separate paid tasks from unpaid labour so your business stays viable
• why working alone does not have to mean working without support, structure, or community

Sadie also shares what subscribers will get for £5 a month or £50 a year, including practical guidance, templates, scripts, pricing support, dementia communication tools, and lived-experience insight designed to help personal assistants work more confidently and sustainably. Some letters will be free, others paid, but the aim is the same - to make independent care clearer, safer, and more honest.

If you’re already working independently, thinking about becoming a personal assistant, or trying to build a care practice that protects your wellbeing as well as your clients’, this episode gives you a compelling first look at a project built from 20+ years of experience in the field. Essential listening if you want to understand the real landscape of self-employed care and the support that should have existed all along.

Important Links:

https://substack.com/@sadieraveninghttps://www.continuingcarewithsadie.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/groups/685576234290928/

What if dementia care could feel radically different? In this conversation, David Sheard reveals the emotional signals, micro‑behaviours, and culture shifts that transform care from task‑based to truly human. If you want to understand what “feeling‑based care” actually looks like in practice, this episode will change how you see the sector.

GET READY....In this conversation, Sadie speaks with Neil Crowther, an independent strategist and advocate in the field of social care. They explore the importance of a rights-based approach to care, emphasizing the need to start with what matters to individuals. Neil discusses the cultural conditions that support dignity and autonomy, the role of leadership in promoting rights-based practices, and the significance of meaningful relationships in care.

He highlights the need for a shift in narrative around social care to focus on people rather than systems, advocating for community-based care and the importance of language in shaping power dynamics. In this conversation, Neil Crowther discusses the complexities of dementia care, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual experiences and the role of emotional intelligence in caregiving. He highlights the Shared Lives model as a transformative approach to support, focusing on relationships and autonomy.

The discussion also delves into the significance of power dynamics in care relationships and the need for effective leadership and system design to promote rights-based care. In this conversation, Sadie and Neil Crowther explore the future of social care, emphasizing the need for cultural and structural shifts. They discuss the importance of measuring wellbeing rather than throughput, the potential for innovation in care systems, and the moral imperative of prevention.

Neil shares insights on the pockets of hope within the sector and the necessity of human-centred care, concluding with personal reflections on his journey and the importance of community support.

References:

Social Care Future www.socialcarefuture.org.uk

Gloriously ordinary lives https://www.gloriouslyordinarylives.co.uk/

Be Human https://be-human.org.uk/

Live More https://socialworkwithadults.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/08/live-more-supporting-people-living-with-dementia-to-stay-active-connected-and-well-through-shared-lives/

In this episode, Sadie and Gina Awad dive deep into the emotional landscape of dementia care, where compassion meets culture, and leadership shapes everything. They explore the barriers that silence families, the everyday interactions that build trust, and the systems that must evolve to protect autonomy.

This conversation is rich with advocacy, emotional intelligence, and the raw honesty of lived experience. Gina opens up about vulnerability, continuity, and the inspiration behind her new book When Time Aligns. It’s bold, heartfelt, and a call to reimagine the future of care.Resources

https://www.tide.uk.net/gina-awads-united/

https://amzn.eu/d/03PLcR7F

In part one of this conversation, Sadie is joined by Lyric Rivera (they/them), a late identified autistic and ADHD consultant, strategist, writer, and creator. Together they explore what a rights based approach to neurodiversity looks like in practice, why emotional safety matters, and how inclusion depends on trust, dignity, and being believed about your own needs.Lyric shares how workplaces and communities can move beyond policy language into real cultural change by making room for autonomy, reasonable accommodations, and authentic self expression. The conversation also highlights the importance of curiosity, compassion, and asking people what they need instead of assuming everyone experiences the world the same way. #AskingAutistics

Resources:NeuroDivergentRebel.comhttps://www.routledge.com/Autism-Identity-and-Me-A-Practical-Workbook-to-Empower-Autistic-Children-and-Young-People-Aged-10/Duffus-Rivera/p/book/9781032832548

https://books2read.com/Weight-of-Normal

Part 1 - Tri - Conversation with Sadie & CWC

In this episode, Sadie engages with Annie Alexander and Olivia Firth to explore the intricate dynamics of care work, focusing on rights-based care, the importance of culture, and the need for meaningful relationships in the sector. They discuss the realities of care work, the significance of valuing care workers, and the impact of everyday interactions on autonomy and inclusion. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of recognizing care workers as professionals and the importance of asking questions to foster meaningful engagement and relationships in care settings. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the importance of engaging care workers in system design, addressing barriers in the care sector, and the role of emotional intelligence in high-pressure environments.

https://thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/

In this conversation, Sadie and Baroness Claire Gerada explore the concept of 'Fearness Medicine,' focusing on the importance of compassionate care, the cultural conditions that foster safety and dignity in healthcare, and the role of leadership in shaping a positive organizational culture. They discuss the significance of everyday interactions in building trust and inclusion, and the necessity of being present and attentive in patient care. In this conversation, Clare Gerada discusses the importance of kindness and emotional intelligence in healthcare, the barriers that prevent meaningful patient care, and the role of leadership in navigating challenges within the healthcare system. She emphasizes the need for reflection, understanding, and hope for the future of healthcare, advocating for a supportive environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.

References:

https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/

In this episode, Sadie speaks with Mary Bruce, a dementia specialist with over 40 years of experience, about transforming dementia care through education, leadership, and system change. They explore how understanding dementia deeply impacts care quality and the importance of empowering staff and families.

Keywords:

Dementia care, dementia education, leadership in healthcare, system change, caregiver support, dementia awareness, healthcare training, emotional footprint, person-centred care

Resources:

http://www.demed.co.uk/