Voluntary organisations

Estimates suggest there are 5.7 million carers in the UK, carrying out unpaid work valued at a massive 34 billion. The role is undefined and rarely chosen voluntarily. The carers and Disabled Children Act, which came into force in April 2001, gives carer the right to an assessment and local authorities the power to make payments and provide services direct to carers. The carers' Resource is an independent charitable company offering a direct point of contact for carers and professionals seeking information, advice, support, referral, representation and advocacy. 2 refs. [Summary]

This report lays out the findings of research carried out between July 2012 and August 2013 for The Debenham Project in Suffolk, funded by the Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance. The research sought to obtain information from family carers and cared-for about the memory loss/ dementia journey; a profile of the carers and cared-for; their experiences; and also views from them and others on the positive and negative aspects of early diagnosis and early intervention of/by services.

This study examines what support services are offered to informal caregivers and whether the support is aimed directly or indirectly at the carers. Data were collected by means of two mail questionnaires in a Swedish county. The first questionnaire was aimed at each municipality in the region. The second questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 284 voluntary organizations in the region. Only the municipalities proved to have relief services, day care centres and two forms of payment for carers.