Support groups for older family carers of people with learning disabilities

Part of the GOLD programme, this is an update to a project where the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILT) work in collaboration with six local authorities in England to set up and evaluate local support groups for older family carers of people with learning disabilities. 

The groups proved to be effective ways of increasing carers knowledge of services and giving them greater confidence on the future. The need for such work was demonstrated by the continuation of all but one of the four groups. 

The groups also stimulated the local authorities ro re-evaluate their relationships with and the support they provided for older family carers.