Care minister announces £5m fund for innovative projects like carer-friendly cafes

Care minister Caroline Dinenage has announced more ‘carer-friendly’ communities can be delivered, thanks to a £5m Carers Innovation Fund set up to improve unpaid carers’ lives.

Care minister Caroline Dinenage MP. Credit: Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Charities, small business and tech companies are being urged to bid for funding for innovative projects (such as carers’ cafes and technology solutions) to improve the health and wellbeing of carers.

Caroline Dinenage announced the Carers Innovation Fund during Carers’ Week (10-16 June) at the Carers Centre in Tower Hamlets, which celebrated its 21st birthday this week.

'Poor health, isolation and stress'

Caroline Dinenage said: “My own mother was a ‘sandwich carer’ who supported me with the birth of my first child as well as caring for my grandmother, who had dementia. I saw the emotional and physical toll it took on her.

"Too often they experience poor health, isolation and stress as a result of their responsibilities, which in turn negatively affects their education or employment.

“This £5 million investment will help build our understanding of the kinds of support that work for carers, outside of traditional healthcare services.

“From cafes that bring carers together, to innovative forms of technology that help carers enjoy time off, I want to see a range of exciting projects boosted and their benefits unlocked.”

Caroline Dinenage announces Carers Innovation Fund at Carers Centre, which celebrates its 21st birthday. Credit: DHSC

The fund was first announced last year, as part of the government’s Carers Action Plan, to support unpaid carers over the next two years. Initially, the fund was worth £500,000 but funding has been increased to £5m.

The minister added: “Our health and care services have a vital role to play in providing support too, and through our NHS Long Term Plan we are working to better identify and support carers across England.

“But it’s evident that sometimes there are organisations that can deliver beyond the scope of traditional services.

"For example, I have met men in my constituency in Gosport who told me their lives have literally been saved by the Men’s Shed, a non-profit community initiative for men to connect with others locally.”

Carers will be among the experts who will sit on a panel to consider which projects get the green light for money from the Carers Innovation Fund.

There are over five million carers in England.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Many more of us are taking on unpaid caring responsibilities for family and friends, often alongside paid work or raising children. We are also seeing the amount and complexity of care increasing.

“As we live and work longer, with technology transforming so many aspects of our lives, it’s time to innovate to support the way families are living today.”

The fund is part of the government's ageing society Grand Challenge strategy, aimed at using innovation to assist Britain's ageing population.

To apply for the Carers Innovation Fund click here