Climbing ladders: From treatment to prevention (2025)
Our Gateshead family
Throughout this report we will bring to life the challenges that people face due to missed opportunities for prevention with a series of case studies from a fictional, but realistic, Gateshead family. This will show the impact of missed opportunities for upstream action that can be transformational for people, making the case for why we need to prioritise prevention for our communities.
Mick
Age: 56
Relationship: Married to Carol
Children: Dan
Occupation: Former construction worker
Likes: Watching football on TV with a few beers
Dislikes: Being out of work, dealing with his back pain
Hopes: Why hope? Nothing ever goes right!
Fears: Dan will be on the dole long-term like himself
Carol
Age: 54
Spouse: Mick
Children: Dan
Occupation: Part-time care worker/unpaid carer
Likes: Going for walks (but she never has time)
Dislikes: Feeling guilty that she resents spending so much time looking after Mick and her mam
Hopes: To see the baby more
Dan
Age: 21
Relationship: Previously in a relationship with Maya
Children: Isla
Occupation: Just completed apprenticeship with large local employer
Likes: Going out with his mates
Dislikes: Missing Maya. Seeing Mam and Dad so unhappy
Hopes: For a good career so he can help Mam and Dad support Isla
Fears: Not being part of Isla's life
Sue
Age: 73
Spouse: Bill (died 3 years ago after living with dementia for many years)
Children: Mick, Brian
Occupation: Retired supermarket worker
Likes: TV soaps, her cat - Ivy
Dislikes: Feeling lonely and frightened of having another fall
Hopes: To stay in her own home and not go into a care home. Who would look after Ivy?
Fears: Being a burden to her family
Maya
Age: 19
Relationship: Previously in a relationship with Dan
Children: Isla
Occupation: Full time Mam. Wants to be a teaching assistant but needs to get the qualifications first
Likes: Cuddling Isla and watching her sleep. She is perfect!
Dislikes: Stressing about how to be a good Mam
Hopes: For Isla to be happy and healthy
Fears: Not being a good enough Mam
Baby Isla
Age: 74 months
Likes: Cuddles with Maya
Dislikes: Bath time
Hopes: None at present, but one day soon she will want to be a princess, and astronaut and a footballer!