Director Edward Herbert shares the personal story that inspired the creation of the scheme. From supporting his sister Millie, who has cystic fibrosis, to building a national initiative helping hundreds of thousands of people, Edward talks about the everyday challenges carers and disabled people face, and how something as simple as a card can make a real difference. We discuss...

- How the experience of hidden disability and caregiving led to the creation of the scheme

- The stressful situations where a simple card can make all the difference

- Why we worked with a banknote designer

- Exciting developments we're working on to make everyday life even easier for card holders

❤️ Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk

💙 Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

Today we’re interviewing Eddie and Suzie, who are raising awareness of PAF (Pure Autonomic Failure), a rare condition that only around 180 people in the UK live with.

In this episode we discuss…

- What it’s like to live with a rare condition

- Setting up their own support group and the importance of a supportive network

- Going from caregiving to being cared for

- Travel insurance when you have a rare condition

- How the National Disability Card helps on days out and at theatres

- How the National Carers Card helps carers get recognition and assistance

💜 Join Suzie & Ed's PAF Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/869025589357423

💙 Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

❤️ Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk

Cici became a carer for her dad in her teens, and is now working to support other young carers. In this episode, we discuss...

- Cici’s journey to becoming a young carer after her dad’s rare dementia diagnosis

- The hidden challenges of identity, guilt, and growing up while caring at home

- Why recognising yourself as a carer can change everything - including access to support

- The lasting impact of caregiving on boundaries, relationships, and mental health

- How to support other young carers.

Learn more about Cici’s work: www.seeingdementiadifferently.com

Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk

Holly Fleet, who you might know as @stomababe, is an online creator who has built a following around sharing her experiences of living with ulcerative colitis. In this episode we discuss…

- Why a stoma bag isn’t the worst case scenario

- What most people don’t understand about hidden disability

- Finding community when you have disabilities

- How to let your employer know you're disabled

- How Holly uses her National Disability Card

💙 Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk ❤️

Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk

💖 Follow Holly on YouTube, Instagram & Tiktok: @stomababe

Jason Busby was a private carer for 17 years before joining the National Disability and Carers Card Scheme. In this episode Jason discusses…

- The one thing Jason wishes he had known about at the start of his caregiving journey

- Calling the fire brigade to help a client and his mobility scooter out of a ditch! - The little-known rewards of being a carer

- Boundaries and saying ‘no’ as a caregiver

- Self-care and getting support as a carer

💙 Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

❤️ Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk

Dominic gives his honest perspective on caregiving...

- The challenges of getting through an airport as a disabled person

- Living with ADHD and chronic pain

- How the National Disability Card helps him while travelling

💙 Apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

❤️ Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk