Carers' Panel
The Carers’ Panel is co-developed with local carers and carer’s groups, and dedicated to supporting Islington’s unpaid carers.
“The Carers’ Fund aims to support people doing unpaid caring work in the borough, and involve carers in deciding how best to use the money.” ~ Laura Guy, Islington Giving Programme Manager
What is the Carers’ Panel?
The Carers’ Fund, generously supported by The Mercers’ Company and co-developed with local carers and carer’s groups, is dedicated to supporting Islington’s unpaid carers.
There are around 16,300 unpaid carers in Islington, providing physical, emotional and/or behavioural support. Carers are disproportionately affected by poverty, poor mental health and isolation, but their voices are often left out of decision-making processes.
Building on the approach taken through the Golden Grant Makers resident-led panel, we met with carers to talk to them about their experiences of living in Islington, and what services, support and activities they would most like to see more of in the borough. We then invited a small group of residents who have experience of unpaid caring responsibilities to join our steering group and help us make final decisions about how funding should be spent.
“We wanted to support a diverse range of carers groups, i.e. carers of those with mental health issues, those with learning disabilities, neurodiverse groups, refugee support groups, child/adult, physical disabilities…It was a very rewarding experience making the final decisions, knowing it would be helping many carers who often do not receive the recognition they deserve.” ~ Sarah Page, Carers Fund Panellist
If you have any questions, would like to have an informal chat about the Carers’ Fund, please contact our Programme Manager, Laura Guy on laura.guy@cripplegate.org.uk
