BBC show puts care in spotlight

ABBC drama filmed in Runcorn and written by veteran screenwriter Jimmy McGovern has been broadcast on TV.

The 90-minute piece Care starred Sheridan Smith, who returned to Dukesfield in Runcorn for filming having already played one of the lead roles in the long-running hit sit-com Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.

Co-written by Gillian Juckes, whose real life experiences formed the inspiration for the story, Care also featured actors Alison Steadman and Sinead Keenan.

Sheridan Smith played Jenny, a mother-of-two raising her daughters alone after the departure of her husband.

Her one lifeline is Mary, played by Alison Steadman, Jenny’s widowed mother whose help with childcare allows Jenny to hold down her full-time supermarket job.

When Mary suffers a devastating stroke and develops dementia, their world comes crashing down and everything changes for Mary, Jenny and her sister Claire, played by Sinead Keenan.

Speaking ahead of the show, Gillian said: “Care is not just one story, but a story of the strength and resilience that many families of dementia patients need to find, to tackle not only the emotional, physical and practical consequences that this disease brings with it, but also the complex social, financial and political issues that need to be dealt with at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

“I think Sheridan, Alison and Sinead have all done an incredible job and delivered outstanding performances. I wanted the story to focus on women, because it is another issue that impacts disproportionately on the lives of women.

“Not only is it a disease that directly affects more women in older age groups, but also, in the UK the majority of carers for people with dementia are women.

“In addition, I know that a significant number of female carers have gone from full-time to parttime employment as a result of their caring responsibilities.

“Caring is going on behind closed doors.

“Carers are sacrificing their careers, financial independence and mental health to carry out this work.

“Dementia patients cannot fight for themselves so it’s up to us as a society to fight for them and to treat dementia with the dignity it deserves.”

Care is available on BBC iPlayer.