The project is being conducted by an independent team from the Institute of Health and Society (IHS), University of Worcester, commissioned by Worcestershire LINk.
The Institute is a dynamic, expanding and multi-professional department with expertise in a variety of fields related to health and well-being including: mental health, midwifery, nutritional therapy, nursing, psychology and a growing portfolio of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).
The team will be led under the direction of Professor Dominic Upton, Head of Psychological Sciences at the University of Worcester. Professor Upton is a skilled investigator with substantial experience in leading successful Health Service evaluations.
The project aims to gather information regarding the experiences of unpaid carers, specifically: the support available to them as they begin their caring role and during their role as a carer. More specifically to ascertain:
The project will be conducted using an online questionnaire which will address the project aims. Data will be collected from unpaid carers within Worcestershire. The online survey will be conducted to capture the views and experiences of carers, to establish the support available and the effectiveness of this support. This will provide an indication of any gaps in support provision for carers and how this can be effectively addressed.
In line with standard ethical principles and requirements of research governance, the anonymity and confidentiality of informants will be assured at all times. All data generated by the evaluation will be treated confidentially, reported anonymously and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).
Respondents will be provided with information outlining the nature of the project and informed consent will be inferred from submission of a completed questionnaire. All participants will be made aware of their right to withdraw from the study at any time, without explanation.