THEMES

Carers Network: End of Life Project Evaluation 

PROCESS

Health Systems

Carers

Community Engagement

Impact Evaluation

Participatory Research

Carers Network’s (CN) End of Life programme provides specialist support and advice for carers looking after someone approaching the end of their life. The service offers a personalised mix of practical, emotional and psychological support tailored to individual needs. The programme supports carers based in the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The Project Brief

As a cared-for persona nears the end of their life, several important discussions and challenges arise, including decisions regarding the care setting, emotional support, organising their affairs, and fulfilling their final wishes.

Carers Network has commissioned us to evaluate their End of Life Carers programme during the period from January 2020 to March 2023.

Our Approach

The impact of the End of Life Carers Project was assessed against four key outcome areas based on the project’s intended outcomes: 

  • Increased mental health and wellbeing;

  • Reduced levels of social isolation;

  • Increased confidence concerning ‘End of Life’; and

  • Increased empowerment of the cared-for person.


Data was collected through a survey and six in-depth interviews with carers who received support from the project. These interviews were recorded to create an impactful video and later transformed into detailed case studies. 

Additionally, CSC evaluated the effectiveness of the project's design and delivery, identifying areas for enhancing delivery methods.

Impact

Findings regarding the impact of the End of Life Carers project were overwhelmingly positive: 

  • Carer’s wellbeing increased by +157% compared to ratings before receiving support. 

  • The project achieved a significant reduction in social isolation among End of Life carers, with an increase of +157%.

  • The project enhanced carers' knowledge of how to manage 'End of Life', leading to a deeper understanding of their role and rights.

  • After receiving support, carers reported a remarkable growth of +260% in terms of empowering the cared-for person.

The report and film is due to be presented to project funders at the Henry Smith Charity and the National Lottery Community Fund.