THEMES:
Carers
Health Systems
The Project Brief
Camden Carers: Evaluating a strength-based approach to promoting the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers in Camden
PROCESS:
Participatory Research
Evaluation
Camden Carers provides information, advice and support to unpaid adult carers living, working or studying in Camden, and individuals caring for a person living in Camden.
As a response to the increasing number of carers reporting poor health, Camden Carers have been delivering ‘Health and Lifestyle’ consultations (HLCs). HLCs are ‘strength-based’ health interventions that provide carers with regular coaching sessions and personalised health advice.
Since the initiative began, the HLC coaches have collected a mix of longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data. Camden Carers commissioned CSC to co-produce a value-for-money independent evaluation that makes use of this rich dataset to capture the impact of the service and identify the active ingredients making it a success and areas for improvement.
By the end of their three months, 88% of carers achieved or were on track to achieve their personalised goal. What’s even more impressive is that in 87% of cases, carers are still feeling the effects one year later. Having multiple HLCs (coming back year after year) can have a particularly transformative effect for the carer, and our impact evaluation recommends putting in practices to encourage carers to participate annually (starting with the low-hanging fruit before working towards bigger health goals).
These positive outcomes suggest that there is very little room for improvement when it comes to the HLC model. However, by analysing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, some constructive recommendations did emerge for how the programme could be expanded or enhanced. The report sets out a roadmap for doing so.
Our Approach
Over the last three years, Camden Carers has supported 560 carers through HLCs. These carers have worked with a dedicated HLC coach to identify and address a personalised health goal over a three-month period. These mainly centred around mental and physical wellbeing plus improved lifestyle behaviours.
Impact
We invite you to read the report - or Executive Summary - which Camden Carers are using as a basis to secure more funding in order to be able to support even more carers, and to share good practice with other carers services.