Make your voice heard!

A social account of informal carers

This research seeks to provide a social account of informal carers in order to show the reality of the caring experience.  Possible outcomes include the potential for significant policy contributions about assistance that could be provided in the future.

This research should be of direct relevance to the some 660,000 informal carers who are affected by their caring role.

The interviews will consider:

1. The social and financial impact caring has on the lives of informal carers. 
2. The events that led to people taking up their caring role, as well as looking at assistance currently available and possible improvements or alternatives. 

The results of these interviews will be used to create a future survey.

Participants will be asked to sign a consent form before any interview takes place and will be given the opportunity to ask questions about what it will involve.  Furthermore, participants have the right to withdraw from the interview at any time and will be given the opportunity to clarify points made during the interview afterwards to ensure their views are accurately represented.  

Provisionally, each interview will last approximately 40 minutes and will be based on the two areas mentioned above.  The location of the interviews will take into account the needs of the carer who wishes to participate. 

All procedures will comply with the data protection legislation.

Interviewees will be given the opportunity to receive the transcript of their interview so they can correct or delete it as appropriate. 

These notes and any audio recording will be kept in a secure location in a locked filing cabinet within the University or stored electronically on a password protected computer.  The researcher will ensure that any material will be kept anonymous. 

To take part in the research you have to be 18 or over and have informal (unpaid) caring responsibilites. 

If you would like any further information or would like to arrange an interview, please do not hesitate to contact us at c.cooper@strath.ac.uk or daniel.z.mcgregor@strath.ac.uk or on 0141 548 3231.