To reduce loneliness and isolation, create social networks and support emotional wellbeing.

Jyoti (meaning Enlightenment) Carers Group of Manamaiju is a powerful group of nine carers based in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal who meet monthly.

They discuss the challenges that they face as carers and come up with solutions to their problems. One activity of the group is the running of a joint savings account in which each carers saves a set amount each month.

The growing pot of money is available to group members in the form of emergency loans to meet unexpected medical or household costs. The group is currently working to lobby local government officials and school authorities for a space to set up a ‘Community Caring Centre’ which will provide carers with opportunities for respite.

To provide access to physical and mental health services, including locally available counselling.

In October 2019 our partner Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) organised the very first health camp for carers in Savar, Bangladesh.

It was a great success with 54 carers receiving access to medical treatment and therapy for their own medical conditions. For many of these carers, it was the first time they had sought medical attention for themselves.

The local government authorities supported the camp by allocating their office conference room for the event.

To facilitate access to employment, training or education, tailored as appropriate to co-exist with caring responsibilities

Jag from Baglung district in Nepal was provided with a loan to set up a small provisions shop next to a busy bus station.

Business boomed straight away and she was able to repay the loan within 3 months. She went on to set up a tea and snack shop next to her original shop which is also doing very well.

She has gone from struggling to afford two meals a day for her and her family to having enough money to provide for her family as well as to pay for medication for her son who has a neurological condition.

To strengthen the collective voice of carers to advocate for their needs and the provision they require at community, regional and national level, leading to changes in policy and practice.

In April 2017 our partner SACRED established the first Community Caring Centre in Perivali Mandal of Andhra Pradesh. 13 children with disabilities now attend the centre on a regular basis.

When children are at the centre it allows their carers, usually their mothers, to rest or participate in income-generating activities which they previously couldn’t do due to their caring duties. The centre is operated by Mastan Bee who herself has a disability.

We have now promoted 17 similar centres that are enhancing the lives of children with disabilities as well as their carers.

To offer a break from caring responsibilities along with the development of alternative high quality care options such as day care centres

In Odisha, our three partners EKTA, WORD and SPREAD have had great success in supporting carers and their families in accessing government benefits and entitlements.

As part of the ‘A Voice for Carers: Achieving Recognition and Inclusion of Family Carers of the Disabled and Mentally Ill from Adivasi Communities of Odisha’ project, staff conducted assessments with 1,510 carers and their families to establish what benefits they were currently claiming and what benefits they could be entitled to. For households who were not accessing benefits they were eligible for, staff assisted those households in accessing those benefits by helping them with the application process.

A total of 454 carers and persons with disabilities have now accessed benefits for the first time, or had existing benefits increased as a result of this process.