14 Packing Tips For Carers Coming To The UK

1. Make a list

Worried you may forget something essential? Create a list of everything you will need and check items off as you pack. This will ensure all essential items are in your bag and ready to go.

2. Avoid Stains

There is nothing worse then pulling on the clothes you packed and finding a stain on your favourite top. You can avoid this problem by making sure all light coloured clothes are packed inside out and all liquids are in sealed plastic bags.

3. Roll and vacuum pack

Don’t arrive at your placement or for training and be faced with a pile of ironing. To save space and stop creasing, roll your clothes instead of folding them. Place your clothes in vacuum pack bags to make the most of the space you have.

4. Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a great packing solution. Packing cubes separate your items allowing you to find your things quickly and easily.

5. Don’t leave empty spaces

Make use of every square inch of space you have. Roll up tops, underwear, socks and other small items and stuff them into your shoes or small spaces to make sure all space is filled effectively.

6. Keep Fresh

It is important to stay fresh at your placement and during training. By taking a small bag of potpourri, fabric conditioner sheets or scented drawer liners you will keep your belongings smelling fresh and clean throughout training and whilst on your placement.

7. Ziplock Bags

Do you often open your bag to find all of your cables, wires and fiddly bits tangled together in a knot which will take you forever to undo? Combat this issue by putting your phone charger, headphones, adaptors etc in separate Ziplock bags. They are affordable and can be used more than once. Arrive at your placement and have all your belongings prepped and ready to go.

8. Cotton Wool

Prevent your powdered make up from cracking during your plane or train journey by simply placing a cotton pad between the powder and the lid.

9. Books in your case weighing you down?

Lets face it books are big, bulky and don’t easily fit in a small suitcase. If you are a avid reader but don’t have the space to fit the books you would like to take to placement why not give e-books a go? Did you know you don’t need to have a kindle to read an e-book? E-books can be downloaded onto most smart phones or tablets. We would recommend that you download your books before you travel, not only will you have a book to read on your journey but you wont need to worry about WIFI etc whilst at placement.

11. Weigh Your Luggage

We would recommend that everyone invests in luggage scales before they travel. Weigh you luggage on both legs of your journey to avoid additional charges at the airport. Luggage scales are small and compact and will easily fit in your bag without taking up too much room.

12. Lightweight Suitcases

When it comes to suitcases sometimes they can be heavy before you have even packed. Why not use a lightweight suitcase to avoid possible extra charges at the airport.

13. Knowing your limits

Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline. Make sure you’re aware of your limits before you reach the airport.

14. Spruce up your luggage

Chances are after a long flight all you will want to do is get to your placement or hotel as quick as possible. To avoid the long wait by the luggage carousel spruce up you luggage with ribbons, stickers or even colourful shoelaces so it’s instantly recognisable.