Karen Thornett: Carers Adviser

Karen is a Carers Adviser for South Oxfordshire and has worked in the care and support field for over 30 years. She started out in residential and home care for older people before working for 7 years in a community home for adults with learning disabilities and Autism.

Karen trained as a mental health nurse in 2000 and this led her into a role as a community mental health nurse specialising in addictions, before moving to work in Dementia and end of life care.

Karen is passionate about people feeling listened to, and in giving someone the space to explore the difficulties they are facing and the challenging and often complex emotions this can bring. Karen volunteers for a bereavement charity and is also a qualified counsellor. She has a particular interest in working with transition and loss, men’s mental health and family relationships.

Karen’s Nan cared for her Grampy for a number of years and tried not to let on how difficult things were, which took a huge toll on her Nan’s health and wellbeing. Working for Carers Oxfordshire has immense reward for her as she recognises how changes in a family member’s health status affects everyone close to them and that stepping into the role of an unpaid carer has a profound impact on a person’s life.

“To me the most important things you can offer someone are kindness and compassion. It is a privilege to work with unpaid carers and I hope that I can make a difference to people’s lives in a supportive and useful way”.

Karen works Tuesday 8-5, Wednesday 8-3 and Friday 8-3.