Project overview
Finding out about carers’ decision making and support needs during times of crisis.
Unpaid carers provide essential practical, emotional, and social support to people with long-term conditions. Caring responsibilities can affect carers’ physical and mental wellbeing. During crisis situations—such as a sudden illness or a fall—carers often face increased pressure and must make decisions about when and where to seek help. We would like to find out about how unpaid carers make decisions when the person they care for experiences a sudden health or wellbeing crisis and what existing research studies tell us about what information, services, or support carers need to feel confident and well-supported during these situations.
What we plan to do
Part 1: Review of Existing Research
We will examine published research to identify what is already known about resources that help carers make decisions about the person they care for.
Part 2: Listening Café Sessions
We will run four informal discussion sessions in community settings in collaboration with local carer charities. Each session will include around eight carers. Activities will include open discussion, small group exercises, and creative tasks such as mapping decision pathways. Adults aged 18 or older who provide unpaid care to someone with long-term health and/or social care needs can take part. Sessions will be accessible, inclusive, and supported by trained facilitators.
Expected Outcomes
The study will produce: (1) a summary of existing research, (2) a visual map of how carers make decisions in crisis situations, (3) strengthened partnerships with carer organisations, and (4) a set of co-created priorities to inform a larger funding application.
Why This Study is Important
Current support for carers is limited and varies across the UK. Better understanding of carers’ experiences will help improve future services, reduce unnecessary hospital use, and enhance the wellbeing of both carers and the people they care for. We will apply for further funding to develop resources to support carer decision making.
Collaborating with:
Unpaid Carers Support Southampton
Brighterway Charity
Unpaid carers provide essential practical, emotional, and social support to people with long-term conditions. Caring responsibilities can affect carers’ physical and mental wellbeing. During crisis situations—such as a sudden illness or a fall—carers often face increased pressure and must make decisions about when and where to seek help. We would like to find out about how unpaid carers make decisions when the person they care for experiences a sudden health or wellbeing crisis and what existing research studies tell us about what information, services, or support carers need to feel confident and well-supported during these situations.
What we plan to do
Part 1: Review of Existing Research
We will examine published research to identify what is already known about resources that help carers make decisions about the person they care for.
Part 2: Listening Café Sessions
We will run four informal discussion sessions in community settings in collaboration with local carer charities. Each session will include around eight carers. Activities will include open discussion, small group exercises, and creative tasks such as mapping decision pathways. Adults aged 18 or older who provide unpaid care to someone with long-term health and/or social care needs can take part. Sessions will be accessible, inclusive, and supported by trained facilitators.
Expected Outcomes
The study will produce: (1) a summary of existing research, (2) a visual map of how carers make decisions in crisis situations, (3) strengthened partnerships with carer organisations, and (4) a set of co-created priorities to inform a larger funding application.
Why This Study is Important
Current support for carers is limited and varies across the UK. Better understanding of carers’ experiences will help improve future services, reduce unnecessary hospital use, and enhance the wellbeing of both carers and the people they care for. We will apply for further funding to develop resources to support carer decision making.
Collaborating with:
Unpaid Carers Support Southampton
Brighterway Charity
