To Every Politician Past and Present Who Has Chosen to Ignore the Plight of Unpaid Careers

To Every Politician Past and Present Who Has Chosen to Ignore the Plight of Unpaid Careers

In this episode of The Letterbox Podcast, Mary writes a powerful open letter to politicians past and present who she believes have ignored the plight of unpaid carers in the UK. Mary shares her lived experience as the full-time carer for her son Daniel, who suffered severe brain damage in infancy following complications from a childhood cancer diagnosis. For over 44 years, she has provided round-the-clock care — totalling around 138 hours every week — alongside the emotional, physical, and financial pressures that come with lifelong caregiving. She speaks candidly about Carer’s Allowance, currently £86.45 per week, which equates to approximately 63p an hour for her care, and the strict earnings threshold that penalises carers who try to supplement their income. Mary also highlights the impact of policy changes such as carers losing their allowance upon reaching state pension age, despite continuing their caring responsibilities. This episode explores the reality of unpaid carers in the UK, the hidden labour that supports families and the wider health and social care system, and the ongoing debate around welfare support, disability care, and government policy. A deeply personal letter that raises urgent questions about how society values care, disability support, and the millions of unpaid carers who quietly hold everything together. You can follow Mary’s campaign on her instagram @mcgo_2022. The link to her petition is here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/765364?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaASl97VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadhYdrffFM5a8yeF2gmfJRu4TOoah8pAQWJqEzl7swHT1GprGMtyHo8ZLfmfg_aem_pCh-sAT1DwQukPiBY_Nlrw&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3 [https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/765364?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaASl97VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadhYdrffFM5a8yeF2gmfJRu4TOoah8pAQWJqEzl7swHT1GprGMtyHo8ZLfmfg_aem_pCh-sAT1DwQukPiBY_Nlrw&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3]

Dear Brain Injury | A Wife’s Letter After Her Husband’s Traumatic Brain Injury

In this episode of The Letterbox Podcast, an anonymous writer shares a deeply personal letter about her husband’s brain injury and the stranger who came to live with them after his accident. She writes about the shock of what happened, the hospital journey, and the weeks that followed, when everything familiar was suddenly changed. She describes the moment life split into before and after, and what it means to begin again in a world that no longer looks the same. Her hope in sharing this letter is that others in a similar situation may come to understand that the stranger is not the person standing in front of them, but the injury that happened to them—a powerful message of hope for anyone walking a similar path. At its heart, this letter is about love—love that remains even when everything else shifts. It is about determination in the face of change, and the strength it takes to keep going, together, through something neither of them chose. She also reflects on how they continue to live alongside the injury—some days with laughter, some days with grief—but always with a commitment to keep moving forward, and to keep choosing each other in a life that has been permanently altered. If this episode resonated with you, please follow The Letterbox Podcast, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help these stories reach others who may feel less alone. If you have a story of your own that you would like to share, you can write your own letter and email it to theletterboxpodcast@outlook.com.

Dear Gav | A Sister’s Letter to Her Brother on the Anniversary of His Passing

In this deeply moving episode of The Letterbox Podcast, listener Jazz shares a heartfelt letter to her late brother, Gav, released on the anniversary of his passing. She reflects on the unimaginable loss of a brother who suffered a life-changing stroke at just 35 years old, the grief that followed, and the enduring love that remains. If you’ve experienced the death of a brother or sister, are navigating grief, or are looking for a reflective podcast about love, loss and healing, this episode is for you. The Letterbox Podcast is a place for real letters and real stories—written to people, places, memories, moments and experiences that have shaped our lives. If this episode resonates with you, please consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who may find comfort in these words. All credit goes to Jazz, who you can follow on her personal instagram page @_jasmin.michelle_ as well as @thegrievingsistersociety 💌

Dear Mama | A Letter for the Parents of Unwell and Special Needs Children

Some journeys into parenthood begin with dreams. Others begin with hospital corridors, unanswered questions, and a love so fierce it aches. In this deeply moving episode of The Letterbox Podcast, we read “Dear Mama”—a heartfelt letter written by a mother for those raising babies and children who are unwell, disabled, or have additional needs. It’s the message she wishes someone had whispered to her in those early, overwhelming days: that it’s okay to be afraid, okay to be exhausted, and that even when life doesn’t unfold as planned, beauty can still bloom in unexpected places. If you’re navigating diagnoses, appointments, uncertainty, or simply carrying the invisible weight of caring for a child with complex needs, this letter is for you. Above all, it’s a reminder that you are not alone—and that you are already enough. Thank you again to @caroline_turkington for this beautiful letter, for sharing her story and for the support I know this letter will bring to so many families. Make sure to follow her journey.

To Anyone Considering Fostering | One Family’s Honest Foster Care Journey

What is fostering really like? What does it mean to open your home to a child in foster care? In this heartfelt episode of The Letterbox Podcast, Sophie shares a powerful letter about her family’s fostering journey. Alongside her husband and their two young sons, she welcomed a foster child into their home and discovered that fostering is about so much more than training, paperwork and appointments—it’s about trust, connection, healing and unconditional love. Sophie reflects on the uncertainty of becoming a foster carer, the bond that grew between her sons and their foster sister, and the life-changing moment they learned she would be staying with them long term. Her honest story offers a rare glimpse into the realities of foster care and the impact it has on every member of the family. Whether you’re considering fostering, exploring how to become a foster parent, or simply want to better understand the experiences of children in care and foster families, this episode is an inspiring and emotional listen. If Sophie’s letter resonated with you, take a moment to learn more about fostering and the difference a safe, loving home can make in a child’s life. Sophie has recently started sharing her family’s fostering journey online, offering an honest glimpse into the realities, challenges and joys of fostering. You can follow along on her instagram @sophieguiel101⁠ 💌And if there’s a letter you’ve been carrying that you feel ready to share, The Letterbox Podcast is a place for stories that connect us through the experiences that shape our lives. 🎙️ If you’d like to support the podcast, following or sharing the episode with someone who may find it meaningful helps more stories like this reach the people who need them.