Across 2021-22 we facilitated a project, funded by NHS England & NHS Improvement's Mind the Gap progamme, to understand the needs of carers of individuals with drug and/or alcohol misuse.
Using the learning we achieved from this project, we have gone on to successfully bid for futher funds to take forward embedding the learning. This is a six-month project that will take place between September '22 and March '23.
An outline of what we have said we will achieve during this project is as follows. We will;
- Develop a toolkit to support the capability, opportunity & motivation of individuals to identify carers (focusing on those in hidden and marginalised carer groups)
- This toolkit will include training & resources to support the identification of training and will be underpinned by behaviour change theory
- Support those partners already delivering similar/aligned training to;
- incorporate behaviour change theory (COM-B) in their packages
- evaluate the training using a recognised model (Kirkpatrick model, stages one-three)
- share data that allows evaluation of the impact of the training (Kirkpatrick model, stage four)
- Develop & facilitate delivery of an e-learning module that will;
- be delivered as part of the Change4Life workforce development programme in South Tyneside
- focus on the identification of hidden/marginalised carers and their needs
- not duplicate existing training but provide links to other training available
- Develop and share communication campaign resources that can be used to engage with carers
- Connect with carers to develop a resource of records of lived experience (video, auditory and written) which can be used in training & communications. We will also connect volunteer carers to partners so that they can share their lived experience directly for the purposes of training and development
- Continuously consult with carers and key partners throughout the work to ensure collaboration & coproduction are at the heart of the work
- Be aligned and accountable to the Carers Strategy in South Tyneside and work closely with the Carers Strategy Delivery Group throughout the project
We are seeking your involvement and commitment to action in any aspects of the work that you are impacted by or could have an impact on. If any of the following apply to you...
- You know of any organisations that are delivering or have delivered any form of Carer Awareness training within South Tyneside
- You have experience in successfully engaging Carers and can share good practice
- You are working with any Carers on your caseload who may want contribute to the work
- You identify as a Carer and want to get involved in the development or delivery of the training
... then please get in touch with Nic Marlor by emailing nicolamarlor@firstcontactclinical.co.uk or calling 0191 4329838