The University of Strathclyde is calling on unpaid carers across Scotland to take part in a survey designed to help shape support, training, and recognition for the role they play.
More than 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland look after a loved one due to illness, disability or age-related frailty. As the population ages and health and care services face growing pressures, carers are playing an increasingly vital – but often overlooked – role in keeping our communities going.
The survey is the first step in the Future Hospital initiative, led by John Connaghan and Dr Kieren Egan at Strathclyde and involving Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) – a partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council that is responsible for planning and delivering health and social care services across the city – and charity Lanarkshire Carers.
Better understanding
The new project, funded by the Wellcome Trust’s Collaborative Cultures award, seeks to better understand the needs, insights, and experiences of carers in order to design innovative, long-term solutions for carers and those they care for. It is being supported by NHS 24, Carers Scotland, NES (NHS Education for Scotland), Scottish Care and Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE).
John Connaghan, a research assistant in Strathclyde’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences, said:
This project is unique because it’s moving beyond the usual silos of knowledge to build a more sustainable and impactful way of working – one that truly values carers as equal partners in shaping the future.
The survey, co-designed with carers, seeks honest feedback from carers, professionals and academics on how to work together to tackle key issues such as quality of life, skills training, and financial support.
Critical moment
Fred Beckett, Carer Lead for Glasgow City HSCP, said: “This is a critical moment. We need to move beyond one-off projects and invest in long-term relationships. Unpaid carers must have a seat at the table as our NHS and care systems evolve.”
Carers’ input will directly inform a series of workshops, focus groups, and pilot projects later this year, culminating in a set of recommendations on how to support and sustain carer involvement long into the future.
The survey can be found online and anyone seeking more information can contact John Connaghan.