After connecting with the situation of carers, a period of consultation funded by Andrews Charitable Trust took place in 2012 across India and South Africa to assess the situation of carers in those countries. Common themes emerged from this research that found caring can have a significant impact on carers in relation to their social, economic, mental and physical wellbeing and these findings were documented in the Report on Consultation on the Needs of Carers in India and South Africa.

The consultation confirmed that carers needed support and this is what drove the formation and launch of Carers Worldwide. The report identified carers needed:

• The opportunity to meet with other carers
• Access to health services
• Access to employment, training, and livelihoods
• Opportunities for respite

In addition, it was clear that there needed to be a sustained period of advocacy on behalf of, and involving, carers in order to achieve long term changes in policy and practice.

Our first project began in India, working with just 250 carers in partnership with three local NGOS: NBJK, SACRED and SAMUHA. Since then, we have worked on a total of 17 projects in India, Nepal and Bangladesh which to date have improved the lives of 12,264 carers, 12,499 people they care for and 49,056 family members.

We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved since our small beginnings in 2012, raising awareness and offering support to carers who were previously unnoticed and who were meeting the needs of others but not their own.  We look forward to continuing our journey and achieving our vision of a world in which the needs of every carer are met.