The Carers Worldwide Model in Bangladesh – Exceeding Expectations
We have recently completed a three-year project with unpaid carers in Bangladesh, in partnership with Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) and funded by the CareTech Foundation and the Rangoonwala Foundation.
We are delighted with the results of our independent final evaluation of the project, and are excited to share some of the highlights with you in this blog post.
Our project ‘Upscaling and Expanding a Successfully Tested Approach to Support Unpaid Family Carers in Savar, Bangladesh’ aimed to enhance the health and socioeconomic well-being of 1,008 unpaid family carers (93% of whom were women and girls) in Savar, near the capital city of Dhaka through the Carers Worldwide Model. Our model addresses unpaid carers' social inclusion, physical and mental health, employment, education, and advocacy needs.
So what does this mean?
We ran a pilot project in the area between 2018 – 2020, which was funded by the UK government and supported 502 unpaid carers. This more recent project built on the success of the pilot, upscaling and expending our work by adding another 506 carers, so that we were supporting a total of 1,008 over the last three years.
We aimed to continue implementing the Carers Worldwide Model, prove its value and the impact that is possible and engage more with the local and national government in Bangladesh.
Planned outcomes of the project
- A minimum of 85% of carers attending local Carers Groups resulting in an increase in the number of carers participating in wider family and society activities
- A minimum of 75% of carers living above the poverty line
- A minimum of 70% of carers reporting improved physical and/or mental health
- A minimum of 40% of carers expressing confidence to advocate for their needs with government representatives
Here’s how we did
Our project achieved and exceeded its targets, reducing loneliness and isolation among unpaid carers, improving access to health services and providing emotional support through trained counsellors. The tailored training and employment opportunities, along with respite services, supported unpaid carers' mental health and well-being as well as their economic inclusion. Finally, advocacy efforts enhanced the recognition of carers' needs at various levels.
We have broken down the results into the five elements of our Carers Worldwide Model.
Carers Support Groups
We set up 50 village level Carers Groups which provide carers with information, advice and support. Each group has their own joint savings account for members of the group to borrow from to set up their own small businesses. The groups also support carers with advocacy and empowerment training, so they are equipped to speak up and demand the rights and benefits they are entitled to. 87% of the carers in the project became a member of a Carers Group.
“We were confined at home. Our group created access to socialization, especially learning from other carers in the society.”
Physical and Mental Health Services
Over the course of the project, we ran12 health camps which were attended by 963 unpaid carers and 317 of their disabled relatives. We also trained 18 doctors and frontline health workers on the needs of unpaid carers.
We also created links with local hospitals and specialist hospitals in Dhaka which carers are now confident to attend independently.
“Now we visit the Upazilla health complex on our own. We are also capable to visit any referred hospitals in Dhaka. We did not know about these before.”
In terms of mental health support, we have trained 50 barefoot counsellors, these are unpaid carers who hare interested in providing counselling services to other carers in their community. All carers who are part of the project are now receiving counselling form their peers, who understand what they are going through.
“When I got the opportunity to express my concerns to the community counsellor, I felt relieved from my stresses.”
Respite – Community Caring Centres
We have seven Community Caring Centres running in the project area, which are attended regularly by 129 disabled children and 125 unpaid carers. These centres are a safe space, where disabled children who can’t find a place at a school, are provided with care, tailored therapy and education, giving their carers some respite and time to socialise or take part in income generating activities.
One mother we have supported over the years, is now a volunteer at one of these centres and said:
“I do not want other mothers to go through what I did. This centre helps the children and gives their mothers confidence.”
Employment, Training & Education
Over the course of this project, 425 unpaid carers have been trained in their chosen income generation activity and 474 have been provided with funds to cover their start-up costs.
“I bought some goats after receiving training and a grant of BDT 20,000. I invested in buying cows after selling those goats. Now we have a good earning from selling cow’s milk.”
Advocacy
During the three years that this project has been running, we have set up 8 cluster level committees, a district level Carers Association and our national Carers Alliance Bangladesh. Giving carers these forums and the training to advocate for their rights, is a sustainable way to ensure that unpaid carers are able to fight for what they deserve long after our involvement has come to an end.
“We have presented the demand for issuance of an identity card to the high level government officials. We have also been able to access social, health, training, employment and financial services at the local level. We hope to continue our efforts and replicate at the national level.”
In conclusion
The 1,008 unpaid carers involved in our project experienced notable improvements in their physical and mental health due to better access to health services and support groups. Our economic interventions enhanced their financial well-being and carers reported increased confidence, greater participation in community activities, and reduced social isolation. Our project's advocacy efforts also empowered these carers to actively and independently participate in local advocacy initiatives.
These benefits are expected to continue into the future due to the sustainable structures we have put in place, such as Carers Groups and Community Caring Centres, training of CDD staff, engaging local authorities, and integrating project activities into community frameworks.
We are delighted with these results and are proud to see our Carers Worldwide Model working so well for unpaid carers in Bangladesh. If you would like to help us transform the lives of more unpaid family carers in South Asia, then please do consider giving a gift or get in touch if you’d like to talk to us about how we could work together.
