Consultations

Consultations

Find out about the consultations on issues affecting carers that are running in Surrey and nationally. Some we run, however many are from external organisations but we think they're relevant to you!

Consultations – your chance to have your say!

Consultations are your opportunity to have a voice on local and national issues affecting carers, or of interest to carers.  If consultations are currently taking place you can follow the links to take part, many of these are run by other organisations but we think they are relevant to Surrey’s carers.

Don’t forget you can find ALL of Surrey County Council’s current consultations, on ALL topics, here.

All SCC Consultations

And you can share your experience of health and social care services with Healthwatch Surrey here.

Share with Healthwatch

Your view really does matter and together we can affect what support looks like for carers now and in the future.

Consultations in Surrey

Below are some of the consultations currently running in Surrey, some are from us but many are from external organisations consulting on issues affecting carers – add your voice!

Family Voice Surrey Autumn Transport

This survey is a great opportunity to assess what progress has been made on the recommendations and determine whether they have been implemented consistently, along with what further work needs to be done to improve outcomes for families. So, if you use Home to School Travel Assistance of any form, please do complete Family Voice Surrey’s survey - positive experiences are just as important to evidence as negative.

Caring for a disabled Black person

Do you care for someone with a disability they were born with or developed in childhood, and are they Black or of Black Mixed Heritage and aged 40 plus? Researcher Emily from the University of Surrey would like to interview you about your experiences of caring for an older Black adult. Interviews will be 90 minutes max (by phone). There is a £30 Amazon voucher for participation. Enquiries to [email protected] CLOSES AUGUST 2024.

Supporting people with long-term conditions

Surrey and Borders Partnership (SABP) are exploring how people with long-term conditions can be better supported through the use of health monitoring technology. They want to hear carers’ views on how they think things like smart watches, health apps and health rate monitors can help – and what barriers there are to use. If you care for someone with a long-term condition such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, stroke, or dementia, please complete the survey. Takes 10 minutes. CLOSES 2025

Surrey Heath Place Physical Disabilities

This survey is for people with physical disability living in the Surrey Heath Place area, which includes Surrey Heath Borough Council (SHBC) areas except Bisley, West End and Chobham and people living in the Guildford Borough Council (GBC) Ash Vale area served by Bartlett Group GP Practice. The aim of the survey is to understand what gets in the way of accessing services and other activities.

Compassion in Crisis

Surrey Coalition is working with Surrey Heartlands and SCC to understand the experiences of Autistic people and people with learning disabilities, who have experienced crisis that may have lead to an unplanned admission to a mental health hospital or specialist units. The researchers are looking for 10 Surrey participants to join for a research conversation, and for an optional follow up group. If the person you care for is Autistic/has a LD, that has experienced a mental health crisis, he or she might like to participate with this important research. Please email [email protected]

SASG People's Panel - could you join

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust (SASH) has created a public involvement network – SASH people’s panel. This is an opportunity to have a say on services at East Surrey Hospital, Crawley, Horsham and Caterham Dene. Members will be sent regular news and updates about the Trust and its services, and will be invited to get involved and have a say – this may be through surveys and focus groups, online and in person meetings and events, and more. The people’s panel is open to anyone aged 14 years and older who lives or works in Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley, Tandridge, Croydon, Crawley and Horsham – or those with an interest. SASH want as many people as possible, including young people, and those from a minority or protected characteristic group, to get involved and have their say.

Dementia carers - new NHS role research

Do you care for someone with Dementia? Would you be interested in helping to shape the development of the NHS’s new role ‘Dementia Care Coordinator’? The role is being evaluated by the University of Surrey, who wish to find carers to be part of a group to assist, by sharing their experience and views. The study name is: A realist evaluation of the Kent and Medway Dementia Care Coordinator service in primary care and across care pathways. However, they are looking for carers from anywhere in England. Participation will include attending four (online) meetings across the two year project, commenting on documents, inputting into evaluations of study findings and advising on other aspects of the project, such as engagement with people with dementia. You will be part of a small group of individuals (four max) who share common experiences with you. There is payment for participation, if you are chosen to take part. To enquire further, please contact Dr Ruth Abrams, project lead, University of Surrey: [email protected]

Dementia carers sought

Do you care for someone with Dementia? Would you be interested in helping to shape the development of the NHS’s new role ‘Dementia Care Coordinator’? The role is being evaluated by the University of Surrey, who wish to find carers to be part of a group to assist, by sharing their experience and views. Participation will include attending four (online) meetings across the two year project, commenting on documents, inputting into evaluations of study findings and advising on other aspects of the project, such as engagement with people with dementia. You will be part of a small group of individuals (four max) who share common experiences with you. There is payment for participation, if you are chosen to take part. More on link, for more info please contact Dr Ruth Abrams, project lead, University of Surrey: [email protected] CLOSES LATE 2024.

cat-on-keyboard

Digital Attitudes Survey

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust would like to hear the views of people in Surrey on the use of digital technology in healthcare. The survey results will enable the trust to design and shape new services.

Consultations running nationally

There are also consultations and opportunities that are national, on issues affecting carers...

Man leaning on wooden table

Carers of people with depression

A student at Regent’s University in London is exploring the experiences of carers who are caring for someone with depression. Taking part involves an online interview of about 45 minutes. More on the link, and if you've any questions, or to take part, please contact Blaze [email protected] CLOSES 15th MARCH

Sikh couple talk to a researcher sat on sofa smiling

Study into ethnic minority dementia carers and benefits

A researcher from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) would like to interview carers from ethnic minority backgrounds who support a family or friend with dementia to talk about their experiences with the benefit system (benefits received due to your caring role and/or the person you support is/was receiving certain disability benefits post their diagnosis). You can choose to do it through Zoom/phone or in-person (in London). More on the link or email: [email protected]

Does Culture Play a Part in Increased Psychosis Rates?

Does culture play a part in increased psychosis rates? Researchers at the University of East Anglia want to speak with the unpaid carers of people from Black, Caribbean or any other Black ethnic background to hear why you think this community experiences psychosis at a higher rate and what barriers there are to seeking to hop. What changes should happen?

Elder Asian lady sat outdoors

Dementia carers' support for stress

Researchers at Oxford University are carrying out a study into dementia carers’ stress, and which exercises/activities help reduce it. If the person you care for has Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia, could you complete this survey? It takes around 15 minutes. Researchers hope it will improve understanding of carer’s stress and lead to more interventions to help carers. CLOSES MARCH 2024.

Carers of people with Dementia or Cognitive Impairment

This is an online survey from Liberating Research, a patient research community. It takes 25 minutes and they want to hear from people who are caring for someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Mild Cognitive Impairment. They seek only 20 UK people to take part, and those who complete the survey will receive a £25 voucher.

Hospital staff looking at screens for patient tests

Patients Association Survey on Diagnosis Services

Were you or the person you care for diagnosed with a condition or illness in the last six months? How did you find the experience in terms of NHS diagnostic procedures and tests? There’s a Patients Association Survey that would like to hear about your experiences https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Roch1

Carer for somebody with psychosis?

Researchers at Liverpool University wish to talk with carers (current and former) of people who experienced psychosis, to understand these difficult situations. The aim is to aid others by working with health and welfare services to improve the support available for carers. Interviews should be no more than an hour, and the two researchers Issy and Jess will ensure the discussions are confidential, friendly, and supportive. To find out more, please email Issy: [email protected] CLOSES TBC

Research into minimally verbal/non speaking children

A major University College London study wants to hear from parents/carers of neurodivergent children aged 4-12 who don't use spoken multi-word phrases to communicate. The study wants to know why some children have this difficulty, and how it impacts their social, cognitive and emotional development. There are four waves of data collection, involving a discussion/survey each time, and you'll receive £25 for each wave. For more info email [email protected]

TARGET study - targetting agression in caring when the person has a severe mental health condition

Do you support someone living with a severe mental health condition? And have you ever experienced aggression from this person that you care for? King’s College London are running a study called TARGET – Targeting Aggression in caReGiving rElatTonships – and seek carer to speak to about exploring the usefulness of a new group training programme. More on the link or contact: [email protected] CLOSES WHEN SUFFICIENT STUDY PARTICIPANTS

Urdu speaking carers of people with dementia

A study from UCL is looking to find out what culturally sensitive interventions and resources would work best for people who speak Urdu and are caring for someone with dementia. The aim is to understand needs better, and create an adapted version of i-Support (iSupport is a skills and training programme for carers of people with dementia from the WHO, available online.)

Older male carer with jacket on looks into camera thoughtfully

Male carers' experiences

Calling male carers. A student at Birkbeck, University of London is carrying out research into the experiences of male carers – a group who as the minority, are often underrepresented in the discussion of carers’ lives and needs. He wants to interview male carers to hear about your experiences, the challenges and rewards and the impact it’s had on your life (social, physical, financial and emotional). The interview would last an hour and can be done by phone or Zoom. If you’d like to participate, please email [email protected]. CLOSES 10 SEPTEMBER.

International opportunities

None currently.

 

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