Key Highlights
- Natalie Cassidy starts a new role in an eight-part BBC documentary called Caring Together.
- The series aims to explore the realities and challenges of caregiving across different roles within the care system.
- Cassidy, who played Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, is enrolling at one of the UK’s top Health & Social Care colleges for her training.
- She discusses the daunting but rewarding experience of going back to school at 42 years old.
Natalie Cassidy’s New Journey in Caring Together
You might think this is new, but Natalie Cassidy has always been passionate about understanding and supporting those who care. This time, she’s putting her money where her mouth is by enrolling at one of the UK’s top Health & Social Care colleges.
A Return to School for a TV Star
Actress Natalie Cassidy, known for playing Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, has stepped into an entirely new role. She’s now a student in Caring Together, an eight-part documentary series that will air from May 25th onwards. “I haven’t been at school since I was 16, EastEnders all the way,” Cassidy explained to The One Show. “It was very daunting because I thought, ‘I’m going into a classroom here with a load of students. I’m 42. What are they going to make of me?’”
The Realities and Heartbreaks of Caring Together
“But they took me under their wing,” Cassidy continued. “I became part of the team – it was wonderful getting to learn again.” The series will see her working alongside health and social care students, care professionals, volunteers, and home carers. “Everybody within that care system—volunteers, charity workers, nurses—has so much empathy. Everybody is caring,” Cassidy shared.
“It’s a reminder that there are good people around. We’ll be facing the realities, heartbreak, and joy of caregiving together,” she added. The first four episodes will air from Monday to Thursday next week, with the remaining four starting on June 1st. “Caring Together” premieres at 1:30pm on BBC One.
Training as a Care Professional
The documentary is billed as groundbreaking and has been fulfilling a longstanding ambition of Cassidy’s. Even when she was a main fixture of Albert Square, she had dreams of becoming a carer herself. “It’s a real important passion project for me,” Cassidy said.
A Look at the Series’ Content
The logline describes Caring Together as: “Facing the realities, heartbreak and joy of caring. Together they’ll be putting the spotlight on a dilemma we’ll all face at some point in our lives— who will care for our parents, our partners, our children… and who will care for us?” This is exactly what the series aims to do.
Each week, viewers can expect to see Cassidy delve into different aspects of caregiving. From the struggles faced by those in the field to the personal stories that make it all worthwhile. It’s a deep dive into the human side of caring, something Cassidy hopes will resonate with everyone who watches.
Conclusion
Caring Together is more than just another documentary series. It’s a powerful reminder of the dedication and empathy required in caregiving roles. Natalie Cassidy’s own journey back to education highlights the importance of continuous learning and understanding in this critical field. Stay tuned as we explore the heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking realities of caring together.
