The family and friends carers project

The Family and Friends Carers project aims to provide information, advice and support for family members (and friends) raising young relatives and those working with these carers. It is a three year project (2008-11) funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The project builds upon Family Rights Group's work to date with grandparents raising grandchildren who cannot live with their parents.

As part of the project:

• We run the popular family and friends carers discussion board.
• We provide a consultative service to family and friends carers and professionals who are working to develop local support groups. The project part funds ongoing telephone advice and in some circumstances visits to assist the setting up and sustainability of local support groups. If you are interested in starting up a support group or are a carer who wishes to get in touch with others in a similar situation, please ring 01733 751531.

• We are organising three regional family days for family and friends carers and their children. Please contact 01733 751531.

• We run an electronic discussion board for practitioners working with family and friends carers. 

• Research the particular support needs of sibling carers (people raising younger brothers and sisters), produce a paper and hold a launch event.
• Undertake research into managing contact in family and friends placements.
• Organise a national event for family and friends support group leaders in 2009.
• Provide advice sheets and other materials for litigants in person.

This project sits alongside our advice services and our campaigning work that highlights to decision makers the injustices faced by family and friends carers and steps that could be taken to improve the lives of carers and the children they are raising.  It also draws upon the published 'Wider Family Matters', which is a comprehensive guide for family and friends carers. You can access Wider Family Matters on the web or you can order a copy from Family Rights Group.