South London Mental Health Carers Forum Update – July 2026

By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of the South London MH carers forum

Another month has passed, and I would like to thank everyone who joined our South London Mental Health Carers Forum. It was fantastic to welcome carers, NHS professionals, voluntary sector organisations and local authority representatives from across South London to discuss issues affecting unpaid mental health carers.

As always, the forum provides a safe place where carers can raise concerns directly with decision makers, hear about new developments, share experiences and help shape improvements across mental health services.

For those who were unable to attend, here is a detailed summary of the meeting.

Welcome and introductions

We welcomed carers from across Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, Richmond and surrounding boroughs, alongside representatives from:

Lewisham GP Mental Health Transformation
Carers First Croydon
Carers Hub Lambeth
POWHER (NHS complaints advocacy)
Southwark Council
Carers with lived experience
Voluntary sector organisations

The strength of the forum continues to be its mix of lived experience alongside professionals willing to listen directly to carers.

One particularly encouraging update at the beginning of the meeting was confirmation that South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is reviewing its Triangle of Care work and wishes to involve carers more closely in that process.

This is extremely important because Triangle of Care is one of the main national frameworks that helps mental health services work better with families and unpaid carers.

Lewisham Mental Health Transformation Update

Our first guest speaker was Dr Anna Robinson, GP Clinical Lead for Mental Health Transformation in Lewisham.

Dr Robinson explained that one of her main priorities is improving communication between GP practices and specialist mental health services. She recognised that many of the difficulties experienced by carers occur during transitions, particularly when someone moves between primary care and secondary mental health services. To help address this, she has already begun bringing together GP leaders and mental health professionals, creating opportunities for closer collaboration and establishing direct communication channels, including a new WhatsApp group linking GPs with mental health clinicians so concerns can be discussed more rapidly. She hopes these improvements will lead to better referral pathways, clearer discharge arrangements and more consistent communication between services.

Improving communication between GPs and mental health services

One of the biggest priorities is improving communication between GP practices and specialist mental health services.

Many carers know only too well how stressful it can be when someone is discharged from secondary mental health care back to their GP.

Communication delays often create uncertainty about:

medication
follow-up care
relapse planning
physical health monitoring
who is actually responsible for ongoing care

To improve this, Lewisham has already begun bringing together GPs and mental health clinicians, including establishing direct communication channels so problems can be discussed much more quickly.

This was welcomed by carers, although many explained there remains considerable work to do.

Carers’ biggest concern: discharge back to GPs

This became the largest discussion of the afternoon.

Many carers expressed anxiety about people with severe mental illness being discharged from community mental health teams back to primary care.

Some of the concerns raised included:

GPs may not know the patient as well as specialist teams.
Carers worry relapses may not be identified quickly enough.
Missed appointments are sometimes an early warning sign rather than a sign that someone is well.
Some medications require specialist monitoring.
Communication between services is still inconsistent.

One carer explained that if someone experiencing psychosis fails to attend appointments, it should trigger concern rather than assumptions that everything is fine.

Another highlighted that patients can sometimes cancel appointments themselves, meaning clinicians may never realise there is actually a developing crisis.

Dr Robinson acknowledged these concerns and confirmed they are exactly the type of issues she wishes to improve through stronger collaboration between GP practices and specialist services.

Early identification of mental illness in schools

Another important discussion focused on children and young people.

One parent shared how concerns about their child’s mental health had been dismissed at school months before a serious psychotic episode eventually occurred.

This led to discussion about whether all school staff should receive training to recognise early signs of serious mental illness as part of safeguarding training.

Dr Robinson explained that Lewisham is expanding mental health support teams in schools and is also developing alternative services for young people because traditional CAMHS services remain under enormous pressure.

The discussion highlighted how earlier recognition may prevent future crises for some young people.

Universal Care Plans and identifying carers

During the discussion I raised the growing use of the Universal Care Plan (UCP) across London.

One area we discussed was whether GP surgeries are identifying unpaid carers more effectively.

Many carers are still not recorded as carers within GP systems, meaning they may miss out on:

health checks
vaccinations
support services
referrals
carers’ information

Dr Robinson confirmed GP systems can record carers through coding, but acknowledged this often depends upon carers identifying themselves.

This remains an important challenge because many people caring for relatives still do not think of themselves as “carers.”

Better identification continues to be essential if carers are to receive the support they deserve.

The discussion also broadened into medication safety, the role of GPs in supporting people with long-term mental health conditions and the identification of unpaid carers within GP practices. A carer shared her own lived experience of being misdiagnosed and suffering severe adverse reactions to medication before eventually receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. Dr Robinson acknowledged that medication can sometimes initially worsen symptoms and stressed the importance of clinicians discussing potential side effects openly with patients.

As I raised questions about the rollout of Universal Care Plans and whether GP surgeries are preparing to identify carers more effectively through SNOMED coding and improved care planning. Dr Robinson explained that GP systems can record carers, although this often depends upon carers identifying themselves, and recognised that many people providing substantial care still do not see themselves as carers. The discussion reinforced the importance of improving carer identification, strengthening communication between services and ensuring carers are recognised as genuine partners in care rather than remaining invisible within the healthcare system

Carers First Croydon

Our second presentation came from Carers First, the organisation delivering carers’ services across Croydon.

Jessica and Toby introduced their service and explained how they are developing support specifically for unpaid carers, including those caring for someone with mental illness.

Although their service supports all carers, they recognised that mental health carers often experience unique challenges.

These include:

confidentiality barriers
crisis situations
unpredictable relapses
emotional exhaustion
isolation
uncertainty around care planning

Their presentation showed a genuine understanding of the pressures faced by mental health carers.

I agree. For a blog, that section reads more like meeting notes than an article. Here’s a much smoother narrative version that still captures the main points without relying on long bullet lists.

Carers First Croydon: Supporting Carers Before Crisis

The organisation commissioned by Croydon Council to provide support for unpaid carers across the borough. Jessica and Toby introduced the service and explained how they are working to ensure carers receive support much earlier in their caring journey, rather than only when they reach crisis point. Although the organisation supports carers of all ages and caring situations, they recognised that those caring for someone with mental ill health often face unique challenges, including emotional exhaustion, confidentiality issues, unpredictable relapses and the constant uncertainty that can accompany serious mental illness.

A key message throughout the presentation was that support for carers needs to be holistic. Carers First offers statutory carers assessments, practical advice, emotional support, peer support and wellbeing activities, but these conversations extend far beyond simply discussing the caring role. Staff work with carers to understand the wider impact that caring has on everyday life, including issues such as employment, finances, poor sleep, housing difficulties, physical health and emotional wellbeing. The aim is to identify the pressures that make caring more difficult and then work alongside carers to find practical solutions, whether through grants, referrals to other organisations, respite opportunities or local wellbeing services.

The presenters emphasised that many carers wait too long before asking for help, often believing they should simply cope on their own. By the time support is requested, carers may already be physically and emotionally exhausted. Carers First hopes to change this by encouraging earlier referrals from GPs, mental health services and carers themselves, allowing support to be put in place before problems become overwhelming. The earlier carers receive advice and practical assistance, the more likely they are to maintain both their own wellbeing and their ability to continue caring.

There was also a strong focus on carers’ own health and wellbeing. The presenters spoke about activities such as carers cafés, Qigong sessions, volunteering opportunities and wellbeing programmes, not simply as recreational activities, but as an essential part of sustaining carers over the long term. One particularly powerful message from the presentation was that self-care should never be viewed as a luxury or something to feel guilty about. Instead, looking after carers is fundamental to maintaining safe, sustainable caring relationships. By supporting carers emotionally, socially and practically, organisations like Carers First help ensure that carers themselves remain healthy enough to continue supporting the people who rely upon them.

Southwark Council Engagement: Safeguarding Review

Later in the meeting we welcomed representatives from Southwark Council, who attended to discuss the council’s current review of safeguarding arrangements and, importantly, to hear directly from carers about their experiences. The discussion recognised that safeguarding is not simply about responding to abuse or neglect, but about ensuring that people with mental health needs receive safe, person-centred care while families and carers are appropriately involved throughout the process.

The review aims to strengthen safeguarding by making it:

More consistent across services.
More proportionate to individual circumstances.
More person-centred and focused on outcomes.
Better at involving families and carers where appropriate.
More responsive to concerns raised by people with lived experience.

Council representatives emphasised that this was not simply a consultation exercise but an opportunity for carers to genuinely influence how safeguarding develops in Southwark. Those attending the forum were encouraged to continue sharing their experiences so that future improvements are informed by the realities of supporting someone with mental illness.

Questions and discussion

The discussion that followed highlighted a number of recurring themes experienced by carers across South London.

Several carers explained that they often recognise subtle changes in a person’s behaviour weeks before professionals become aware that something is wrong. As the people who know their relative best, carers felt that their observations should be taken more seriously when concerns are first raised, particularly where there is evidence of deteriorating mental health or increasing risks.

Questions were also raised around how safeguarding concerns are assessed and whether professionals always communicate effectively with families once a concern has been reported. Some carers described occasions where they were uncertain about what action had been taken, what the next steps were, or whether their concerns had been fully understood.

There was also discussion about balancing confidentiality with safeguarding responsibilities. Whilst recognising the importance of protecting an individual’s rights, carers emphasised that excluding families from conversations can sometimes mean valuable information about risks, changes in behaviour or previous crises is overlooked. Many felt that better communication with carers could strengthen safeguarding rather than compromise it.

Another important point raised was that safeguarding should not only focus on responding after a crisis has occurred. Instead, carers felt services should recognise early warning signs, intervene sooner where possible and view carers as partners in identifying emerging risks before situations escalate.

The representatives welcomed these reflections and acknowledged the value of hearing directly from lived experience. They encouraged carers to continue engaging with the review process so that future safeguarding arrangements better reflect the realities faced by families supporting someone with serious mental illness.

Lambeth Update

We were also pleased to receive an update from Karen Ibrahim, Mental Health Carers Coordinator at Carers Hub Lambeth, who shared a number of developments taking place across the borough to improve support for unpaid carers.

Karen explained that Carers Hub continues to expand its offer to carers, with several new initiatives now available. One of the most significant developments is the introduction of the Lambeth Carers Card, which is intended to help carers identify themselves more easily when accessing services and encourage wider recognition of the vital role unpaid carers play. Alongside this, Carers Hub has strengthened its welfare benefits support, enabling carers to access specialist advice on benefits, financial entitlements and income maximisation, an increasingly important service given the financial pressures many carers continue to face.

Another important area of work has been raising awareness of carers throughout local services. Karen described the continued delivery of carers awareness training for professionals, helping frontline staff better understand carers’ rights, the challenges families experience and why carers should be recognised as partners in care rather than simply relatives accompanying patients. She also highlighted the ongoing development of the Lambeth Mental Health Carers Group, which continues to provide carers with opportunities to share experiences, influence local services and receive peer support from others who understand the realities of caring for someone living with mental illness.

Questions and discussion

The discussion then moved towards some of the more difficult experiences carers continue to face within inpatient mental health services.

One issue raised was the safety of inpatient wards, with concerns expressed about incidents involving patient-on-patient violence and the emotional impact these situations can have on both patients and their families. Carers discussed the importance of ensuring that safety concerns are taken seriously and that families are kept appropriately informed when incidents occur.

Questions were also asked about how carers’ concerns are escalated when they believe someone is at risk or when communication between staff and families begins to break down. Karen acknowledged that these situations can be extremely distressing for carers and stressed the importance of maintaining open communication between inpatient teams, community services and families wherever possible.

The discussion also reinforced the wider importance of involving carers throughout a person’s mental health journey, rather than only contacting families during periods of crisis. Participants agreed that carers often hold valuable knowledge about changes in behaviour, early warning signs and previous experiences of relapse, and that this lived experience should be recognised as an important contribution to safe and effective care.

Karen thanked carers for continuing to share their experiences and encouraged everyone to remain engaged with Carers Hub Lambeth, emphasising that feedback from carers plays a vital role in helping improve local mental health services and ensuring carers’ voices continue to influence future developments.

Looking ahead

Our forum will continue bringing together carers, NHS services, local authorities and voluntary organisations to improve mental health support across South London.

If you are an unpaid mental health carer living in South London, you are always welcome to join us.

Together we can continue raising carers’ voices, influencing services and helping ensure that carers are recognised not simply as visitors to mental health services, but as valued partners in care.

Today I Prayed: A PCREF Spoken Word Poem

By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of ethnic mental health carer forum.

For my latest spoken word video, “Today I Prayed,” I present a piece from my PCREF poetry collection that I am working on, Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken.

Grounded in the spirit of the Patient Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), this poem centers on the often hidden realities faced by unpaid Black mental health carers.

The poem explores spirituality not just as a source of private comfort and endurance, but as a solitary lifeline when formal systems fail and the heavy emotional weight of duty takes its toll.

I think watching this video is an invitation to witness the quiet strength of minority carers, plus raise awareness of systemic gaps in our care frameworks.

I hope the poem ensures that these vital carer voices are finally seen, heard, and respected.

Hospital Carer Discharge Meeting – July 2026 Update

By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of Carers Hospital Discharge group

Thanks to everyone who attended our July Hospital Carer Discharge Meeting. We welcomed representatives from NHS trusts, local authorities, carers organisations, Healthwatch, and voluntary sector partners from across London. As always, the purpose of the meeting was to share developments, learn from each other’s work, and strengthen collaboration to improve hospital experiences and discharge planning for unpaid carers.

Although every organisation is at a different stage of development, one message came through very clearly: supporting unpaid carers is becoming an increasingly important priority across hospitals, councils and the NHS.

A Strong Focus on Earlier Carer Identification

One of the recurring themes throughout the meeting was the importance of identifying carers as early as possible during a patient’s hospital journey.

Many hospitals continue to recognise that carers are often identified too late—sometimes only when discharge is already taking place. Earlier identification allows staff to:

involve carers in care planning
understand the practical support available at home
recognise carers’ own support needs
prevent unsafe or delayed discharges
improve communication between hospital teams and families.

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust provided an update on its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) designed to improve the identification and involvement of unpaid carers. Although implementation has been delayed because of competing organisational priorities, the framework remains in place and includes:

earlier identification of carers on admission
recording carers within hospital systems
involving carers in discharge planning
ensuring carers understand care needs following discharge
connecting carers with local authority assessments and community support.

Alongside this, the Trust continues reviewing its Carers Charter and strengthening relationships with voluntary organisations across Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley to improve partnership working. Training for ward staff is also beginning with support from local councils to improve awareness of carers and available services.

This demonstrates that improving hospital discharge is not simply about creating new policies, but embedding carer awareness throughout everyday clinical practice.

Excellent Examples of Partnership Working

Several organisations shared encouraging examples of collaboration across health and social care.

The North Central London Carer Support Project described a wide range of initiatives already underway across several NHS trusts.

These include:

weekly co-delivered carer awareness sessions with Camden Carers at University College London Hospital
regular online training sessions at Whittington Hospital attracting around forty staff members each session
development of an e-learning programme for professionals working with carers
greater involvement of patient experience teams in monitoring referrals to carers organisations.

Particularly encouraging was the decision to begin monitoring hospital referral numbers to carers organisations as a performance measure. Measuring referrals each month provides a practical way of understanding whether carers are actually being identified and connected to support rather than relying solely on policy documents.

Camden Carers also highlighted continued outreach into GP surgeries through dedicated engagement work, recognising that many carers first come into contact with primary care long before hospital admission.

Learning from Cancer Carers

Healthwatch representatives shared plans for a significant research project exploring the experiences of carers supporting someone with cancer. The study is expected to begin later this year and will gather the views of carers across several London boroughs before producing recommendations for NHS trusts and publishing the findings publicly. The aim is to better understand what is working well for carers, where support can be strengthened, and how healthcare services can respond more effectively to the realities faced by those caring for someone undergoing cancer treatment.

The discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring that the voices of unpaid carers are heard throughout the research process. Caring for someone with cancer can involve navigating complex treatment pathways, managing appointments across multiple services, providing emotional support, and balancing caring responsibilities alongside work and family life. Research such as this provides an opportunity to capture those lived experiences and translate them into practical recommendations that can improve communication, discharge planning, access to information, and the support available to carers across NHS services.

As Chair of the Cancer Caregiver Forum, I also highlighted opportunities for researchers and NHS organisations to work more closely with existing cancer carer networks to ensure lived experience remains central to future improvements.

Hospital Discharge Remains a National Priority

Several organisations reflected on how hospital discharge continues to be one of the biggest concerns raised by unpaid carers.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital explained that feedback from carers is regularly discussed through its Patient Experience Group, with hospital discharge continuing to be one of the most common issues raised by families. Representatives acknowledged that while significant work has taken place, there remains more to do to ensure carers are consistently recognised, listened to, and involved throughout a patient’s stay in hospital.

The Trust also highlighted the important role that carers play in shaping future improvements. By regularly hearing directly from carers through patient experience forums, the hospital is building a better understanding of the practical challenges families face before, during and after discharge. Although their Carers Lead was unable to attend this meeting, the Trust expressed a strong commitment to continuing engagement with regional partners and learning from initiatives taking place across London to strengthen discharge planning and carer support.

Richmond Carers Centre

Richmond Carers Centre reported strong referral links with Kingston Hospital, particularly through dementia services, while also developing opportunities for joint education sessions where hospital staff and carers can better understand each other’s experiences of discharge planning.

Alongside its close working relationship with Kingston Hospital, Richmond Carers Centre continues to raise professional awareness across the borough, encouraging more organisations to identify unpaid carers and refer them for support. The team reflected on ideas gathered from national conferences, including improving engagement with diverse communities and strengthening links with GP practices and Primary Care Networks. Although capacity remains a challenge, Richmond Carers Centre continues to explore new ways of increasing visibility so that carers receive information, advice and emotional support as early as possible rather than only after a hospital discharge has taken place.

Universal Care Plan and Care Contingency Plan (UCP/CCP)

An important update was shared regarding the Universal Care Plan (UCP) and Care Contingency Plan (CCP), which are being developed through NHS England to improve how carers are identified and supported across health services. Attendees heard that the programme is currently being piloted in London and aims to allow unpaid carers to record emergency contingency arrangements and important caring information digitally through the NHS App and GP systems. The long-term ambition is for this information to be accessible across different parts of the NHS, helping professionals better understand both the needs of the person receiving care and the vital role played by their unpaid carer. Representatives who attended the recent NHS England workshop described the programme as a positive and promising development, with training opportunities expected to become available as the rollout progresses.

The discussion also highlighted that increasing awareness will be just as important as the technology itself. Many carers remain unaware that care planning and contingency planning can help prepare for emergencies where they may suddenly be unable to provide care. By encouraging hospitals, GP practices and carers organisations to promote the Universal Care Plan and Care Contingency Plan, there is an opportunity to improve continuity of care, reduce avoidable crises, and ensure that carers’ knowledge and wishes are better recognised within the wider health and care system. As these initiatives develop, organisations across London will have an important role in helping carers understand how to access and make effective use of these new digital planning tools.

Southwark Council

Southwark Council also described ongoing partnership work with Guy’s & St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital. King’s College Hospital is currently developing a Care and Support Navigator service designed to support patients while they remain on waiting lists, assist with discharge planning, and improve signposting into community services once patients return home.

The Council explained that while its refreshed Carers Strategy is not solely focused on hospital discharge, close partnership working with local NHS trusts remains a key priority. Through the Southwark Carer Collaborative, which meets quarterly with representatives from King’s College Hospital and Guy’s & St Thomas’, organisations are sharing developments, identifying opportunities for joint working, and ensuring carers remain firmly on the agenda. Southwark also confirmed that the newly launched Cross-Government Unpaid Carers Action Plan is already helping to inform the direction of its refreshed strategy, demonstrating how national policy is beginning to influence local planning and partnership working.

National Developments – A Significant Moment for Unpaid Carers

Perhaps the most significant national development discussed during the meeting was the publication of the UK Government’s first Cross-Departmental Unpaid Carers Action Plan, launched on early July.

Although many details will continue developing over the coming months, the plan represents an important step because responsibility for unpaid carers is now being considered across multiple government departments rather than solely within health and social care.

Key priorities include:

improving identification of unpaid carers
increasing referrals into carers support services
strengthening employment support for working carers
making greater use of digital systems including the NHS App.

Alongside this sits the development of the Universal Care Plan and Carers Contingency Plan. Early pilots suggest these tools could allow carers to record emergency contingency arrangements and important caring information digitally, making that information more accessible across health services when needed. Training opportunities are expected to become available as the programme expands.

Looking Ahead

Although considerable progress is being made, many of the discussions reinforced that improving hospital discharge requires sustained partnership between NHS trusts, councils, carers organisations and, most importantly, unpaid carers themselves.

Future meetings will continue sharing practical examples of good practice, highlighting successful projects, and identifying opportunities for organisations to learn from one another.

At our September meeting we look forward to welcoming Carers UK, who will provide regarding hospitals and unpaid carers.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to the July meeting. Your willingness to share ideas, successes and challenges continues to strengthen our collective efforts to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, valued and fully involved throughout the hospital discharge process.

Research Opportunity: Calling Black Unpaid Carers Supporting Someone with a Learning Disability and Mental Health Needs

By Matthew McKenzie – Carers UK ambassador / Chair of National ethnic mental health carers forum

Are you a Black unpaid carer supporting a family member with a learning disability (sometimes referred to as an intellectual disability) who has experienced mental health difficulties?

Have you ever tried to access mental health support on their behalf? This could include contacting services such as Community Learning Disability Teams, CAMHS, Community Mental Health Teams, Talking Therapies or other mental health services.

If so, your experiences matter.

Lauren Heath, a second-year Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Southampton, is conducting doctoral research exploring the experiences of Black carers who have accessed, or attempted to access, mental health support for a family member with a diagnosed learning disability.

We know that Black unpaid carers often face additional challenges when trying to navigate health and social care systems. Too often, their experiences are unheard or underrepresented in research. This study aims to better understand those experiences and help inform more culturally sensitive and inclusive services in the future.

You may be eligible to take part if you:

Identify as Black.
Have significant caring responsibilities for a family member with a diagnosed learning disability (or intellectual disability).
Have accessed, or attempted to access, mental health services on their behalf.

Taking part will involve:

A confidential interview lasting approximately 1.5 hours via Microsoft Teams.
Your responses will be anonymised once all interviews have been completed.
You will receive a voucher to thank you for your time and contribution.

Lauren previously worked within Community Learning Disability Teams across the UK and became interested in understanding why so few Black families appeared to be accessing these services. Her doctoral research hopes to amplify the voices of Black carers and contribute towards improving culturally sensitive support for families in the future.

If you think this research may apply to you, or someone you know, please consider taking part or sharing this opportunity within your networks.

To find out if you are eligible, you can complete the short questionnaire or contact Lauren directly at L.Heath@soton.ac.uk.

Your lived experience could help shape future services for Black families and carers.

Triangle of Care Community Meeting: July 2026 update

By Matthew McKenzie – Triangle of Care – Community group chair

Putting Carers at the Centre of Care

The latest Triangle of Care Community Group brought together carers, professionals and partner organisations from across England to share learning, celebrate progress and identify where further improvements are needed. The meeting highlighted the growing influence of the Triangle of Care across mental health and acute services, whilst reinforcing that there is still much work to do to ensure carers are consistently recognised, valued and supported.

One of the most powerful aspects of the meeting was hearing directly from carers about their experiences. Whilst many spoke positively about the progress that has been made over recent years, there was a shared view that carer involvement remains inconsistent across services. Carers described feeling more included than ever before, with greater awareness of the Triangle of Care principles and more opportunities to participate in steering groups, service developments and community discussions. However, concerns remain around automatic carer identification, information sharing and ensuring that carers are genuinely recognised as partners in care.

Several carers reflected on the importance of having their voices heard early in a patient’s care journey. Examples were shared of services introducing carer contribution templates that ensure family members are involved within 72 hours of admission, whilst others highlighted improvements to confidentiality processes that allow patients to determine what information can be shared with carers at different stages of their recovery. These practical changes demonstrate how relatively small adjustments can have a significant impact on relationships between carers, patients and professionals.

Progress Across the Triangle of Care Programme

Mary Patel, Triangle of Care Programme Lead at Carers Trust, provided an update on developments across the national programme. The Triangle of Care continues to grow, with a number of organisations progressing through the STAR accreditation process and demonstrating their commitment to embedding carer-inclusive practice across services.

Importantly, members were reminded that the STAR awards are not designed to rank organisations, but instead reflect the breadth of implementation across different service areas. STAR I focuses primarily on inpatient and crisis services, STAR II expands into community services, whilst STAR III recognises organisations delivering integrated services across multiple clinical areas.

Several trusts have recently achieved STAR awards, whilst others are progressing through the assessment process over the coming months. The programme’s peer review approach continues to ensure that carers remain central to the assessment process, with carers actively involved in reviewing evidence, identifying good practice and making recommendations for future development.

The Triangle of Care Member Hub continues to provide valuable opportunities for peer learning, resource sharing and collaborative working. Upcoming webinars will include sessions exploring Open Dialogue approaches developed by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, providing members with further opportunities to learn about therapeutic models that place families and carers at the heart of care planning.

Advancing Equality Through the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework

A significant development announced during the meeting was the launch of Phase Two of the Triangle of Care and Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) project.

PCREF represents the first mandatory anti-racism framework within mental health services in England. Recognising that carers from racially marginalised communities often experience poorer outcomes and face additional barriers when accessing support, the Triangle of Care programme has been working collaboratively with carers and mental health providers to strengthen the way services assess and respond to carers’ needs.

The revised self-assessment framework encourages services to move beyond assumptions and adopt a more professionally curious approach to understanding carers’ individual experiences. Rather than viewing carers as a homogenous group, the framework recognises that caring experiences are shaped by culture, identity, language, personal circumstances and wider health inequalities.

Pilot sites from across England are now testing the revised guidance, with learning being shared nationally throughout the project. Importantly, organisations do not need to be participating in the pilot to begin implementing the principles and learning that emerge from this work.

Alongside PCREF, Carers Trust continues to contribute to national policy developments, including the Modern Service Framework for Severe Mental Illness and the forthcoming Mental Health Strategy for England. Throughout these discussions, there has been a consistent message that carers must be recognised as partners in care and have access to appropriate support in their own right.

Confidentiality, Information Sharing and Carer Inclusion

Confidentiality remained one of the most prominent themes throughout the meeting. Whilst participants acknowledged the importance of protecting patients’ rights and preferences, carers highlighted that confidentiality can sometimes become a barrier to meaningful engagement.

Several contributors reflected that confidentiality should never prevent professionals from listening to carers’ concerns or receiving valuable information that may support a patient’s care. Others spoke about the importance of revisiting conversations around consent over time, recognising that patients’ preferences may change as their circumstances and wellbeing improve.

Practical examples of good practice included breaking confidentiality discussions down into specific areas, allowing patients to decide what information can be shared about medication, activities, wellbeing and treatment plans, rather than relying on simple ‘yes or no’ decisions. There was also discussion around the importance of staff training to improve confidence when navigating complex conversations around confidentiality and information sharing.

Participants agreed that carers should never be expected to provide significant levels of support without receiving the information necessary to do so safely and effectively. Achieving the right balance between confidentiality and partnership working remains an important priority for the Triangle of Care community.

Triangle of Care Principles Within Acute Services

The meeting concluded with an inspiring presentation from Wendy Doyle, Head of Patient Experience at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, exploring how Triangle of Care principles can be successfully implemented within acute hospital settings.

Whilst the Triangle of Care originated within mental health services, Wendy demonstrated that its principles are equally applicable across acute care environments. Her organisation supports approximately 19,000 members of staff across multiple hospital sites and has developed a comprehensive approach to identifying, recording and supporting unpaid carers.

Staff are encouraged to identify carers at the earliest possible opportunity, with this information recorded within patient records to ensure continuity throughout the patient’s hospital journey. Comprehensive carer awareness training is delivered through virtual sessions, ward-based education and e-learning resources, helping staff understand both the practical and emotional importance of recognising carers.

Importantly, identifying carers is only the beginning of the process. Every carer recorded within the hospital system receives a follow-up wellbeing check from the Patient Experience Team to discuss their own support needs, identify any challenges and facilitate referrals to local carers’ organisations where appropriate.

Partnership working sits at the heart of this approach, with close collaboration between acute services and local carers’ centres ensuring carers can access a broad range of practical and emotional support. Adult and Young Carers’ Charters have also been co-produced with carers themselves, helping to shape organisational commitments around kindness, inclusion and meaningful engagement.

Perhaps most importantly, Wendy highlighted that supporting carers improves outcomes for everyone. Better communication strengthens discharge planning, reduces avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions, improves patient safety and helps prevent carer burnout. Acute hospital stays can provide valuable opportunities to identify carers who may previously have remained invisible and connect them with longer-term support.

Looking Ahead

The discussions throughout the meeting demonstrated both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. There is increasing recognition that carers are essential partners in delivering high-quality care across both mental health and acute services. However, meaningful involvement cannot rely upon individual goodwill alone; it requires consistent systems, robust policies and a genuine commitment to partnership working.

Looking ahead, the Triangle of Care programme will continue to expand opportunities for peer learning, influence national policy developments and support organisations to embed carer-inclusive practices across services. The ongoing work around PCREF and wider mental health policy developments provide important opportunities to ensure that carers’ voices remain central to future service transformation.

Above all, the meeting reinforced a simple but powerful message: carers must not be viewed as an afterthought or an optional addition to care planning. They are experts through experience, invaluable partners in care and individuals with support needs of their own. When carers are identified early, listened to meaningfully and supported appropriately, outcomes improve not only for carers themselves, but for patients, families and services alike.

The Triangle of Care Community Group continues to provide an important space where carers and professionals can learn from one another, challenge existing practices and work collectively towards more compassionate, inclusive and effective care.

Shaping the Future of Care: Why the New NHS AHP Strategy Matters to Ethnic Mental Health Carers

By Matthew McKenzie – NHS England involvement, Chair of National ethnic mental health carer forum

As carers, your voices are the most powerful tools we have to change how healthcare is delivered. Every day, you navigate complex systems to support your loved ones, seeing firsthand what works and crucially where the gaps are.

Right now, NHS England’s Office of the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) is developing its next big strategy: The AHP Framework for System Impact for England (2027–2032). Because this strategy is built on the core values of anti-racism, co-production, and sustainability, it is absolutely vital that ethnic minority mental health carers are at the center of this conversation.

What is an AHP and Why Do They Matter to You?

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) make up the third-largest workforce in the NHS. They aren’t doctors or nurses, but they are the specialists who focus on recovery, independence, and keeping people healthy.

There are 14 distinct AHP roles, many of which are essential in mental health and holistic care, including:

Art, Drama, and Music Therapists: Helping individuals express and process complex feelings.
Occupational Therapists: Supporting people to regain life skills and independence.
Dietitians & Physiotherapists: Improving physical health, nutrition, and mobility, which heavily impact mental wellbeing.
Speech and Language Therapists: Assisting those with communication or swallowing difficulties.

The new 2027–2032 framework will dictate how these professionals operate, how easily you can access them, and how they support families over the next five years.

The Six Key Pillars of the New Strategy

The NHS is currently running a national consultation (open until 18th September 2026) to find out what matters most to patients and carers. They want to hear your views across six key areas:

Pillar	What it means for Carers
1. Safe, High-Quality & Accessible Services	Ensuring your loved ones get the right care, quickly and safely, without facing unfair barriers.
2. Keeping People Healthy	Shifting the focus toward prevention and early support before a crisis hits.
3. People and AHP Workforce	Building a skilled, inclusive, and culturally competent workforce that understands diverse communities.
4. Working Differently	Delivering care in more appropriate, comfortable settings—like community centers or at home.
5. Research, Improvement & Innovation	Turning real-world evidence and carer experiences into better everyday medical practice.
6. Data, Digital & Technology	Using digital tools and tech wisely to improve care access without leaving people behind.

Have Your Say: Join Our National Ethnic Mental Health Carers Forum

We have a massive opportunity to speak directly to the people writing this strategy. You are warmly invited to join our upcoming virtual forum to share your experiences, learn about groundbreaking new carer research, and hold a direct Q&A with NHS leadership.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, July 31st
Time: 10:30 AM BST Start
Platform: Zoom

You can also feed back on the strategy using the QR code

What’s on the Agenda for National Ethnic MH carer forum July 31st?

Our packed morning features incredible advocates and policy makers who want to hear from you:

10:35 AM | Local Carer Insights: Dr. Ida Doherty (King’s College London) will present vital new research on supporting ethnic carers in South West London.
10:45 AM | Health Equality Focus: A special guest segment featuring Ruby Neish (UCL) discussing healthcare experiences regarding cancer and Black women.
11:00 AM | Direct NHS England Engagement: Steve Tolan (Deputy Chief AHP Officer) and Barry O’Donovan (Senior Programme Manager, NHS England) will join us to discuss the new strategy and listen to your feedback.
11:20 AM | Mental Health Trust Updates: Real-world updates from local mental health trusts, including insights from Linda Thomas from West London NHS trust
11:40 AM onwards | Regional Perspectives & Systems Change: Discussions with Julia G. (Carers East Kent), the Carers West Sussex study team, and Bren McInerney representing the Race Equality Observatory.

Your Voice is the Missing Piece: If we want an NHS that is truly anti-racist, co-produced, and accessible, we have to show up and speak up. This forum is a safe, supportive space designed to amplify your lived experiences.

How to Join: Please check your email for the secure Zoom link, or visit the link below. We look forward to seeing you there on July 31st at 10:30 AM!

https://caringmindblog.com/mental-health-events/#Ethnic-Mental-Health-Carers-Forum

A Milestone for Carers: The Launch of the First-Ever Cross-Government Action Plan

By Matthew McKenzie – Carer and Carers UK Ambassador

As unpaid carers, many of us know what it feels like to operate in the background. We juggle complex health systems, care for our loved ones, and manage our own lives, all too often feeling invisible.

That is why I am excited to share a major milestone for our community.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), alongside the Departments for Education, Business and Trade, and Work and Pensions has officially launched the Unpaid Carers Action Plan: Recognize, Refer, Reach.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unpaid-carers-action-plan-recognise-refer-reach/unpaid-carers-action-plan-recognise-refer-reach

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-of-unpaid-carers-to-get-recognition-and-earlier-support

This is England’s first-ever cross-government action plan dedicated entirely to supporting unpaid carers.

I was honored to attend the official launch event to represent our community, meet with Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock MP, and participate in the official DHSC launch video.

Watch the DHSC Launch Video:

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What Does This Plan Mean for unpaid carers?

This isn’t just another policy document; it is a commitment across multiple government sectors to drive real, practical change.

The plan is built around three core pillars:

1. Recognise

Carers must be identified early. One of the most exciting digital updates is a new “MyCarer” section being introduced on the NHS App, allowing us to easily register our caring role so healthcare staff know who we are from the start.

2. Refer

No carer should have to navigate the system alone. This pillar focuses on making sure we are directed to local carer centres, financial advice, and emotional support early on. Crucially, it aims to ensure we are formally included in major healthcare decisions, like hospital discharge planning.

3. Reach

Caring shouldn’t mean giving up on your own future. For working carers, the plan explores paid carer’s leave and will require large employers (250+ staff) to publish carer support plans from spring 2027. For young carers, it means stronger support within schools so their education doesn’t suffer.

A Message to My Fellow Carers and Carer Centres

For years, we have argued that caring is not just a “health” issue, it impacts our jobs, our education, our finances, and our mental health. Seeing four government departments finally come together to address I feel is a massive step forward.

To my fellow unpaid carers: Please know that using your voice gives you a chance at being heard. It is important to get carers “on the map” to be recognised, and this plan is a direct result of carers sharing their lived experiences.
To Carer Centres and Forums: This action plan is a powerful tool for us. It gives us a framework to hold local services accountable and ensure the “Recognise, Refer, Reach” goals are delivered on the ground.

Of course change doesn’t happen overnight, but this plan gives us a vital foundation to build on. Let’s keep pushing, keep connecting, and make sure every single unpaid carer gets the recognition and support they deserve.

Discover Your Story Through Photography: Free Workshops & Community Exhibition

Posted by Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist

A fantastic new opportunity from King’s College London is inviting unpaid carers and members of the public to capture these experiences through photography.

Free Online Photography Workshops

Whether you’ve never taken a photograph beyond snapping pictures on your phone or you already enjoy photography, these free online workshops are designed for everyone.

You’ll learn how to:

Use your smartphone to take more meaningful photographs.
Tell powerful stories through images.
Build confidence in your creative skills.
Prepare photographs for a public exhibition.

Workshop dates (BST):

📷 Workshop 1: Photography Fundamentals – Saturday 18 July, 11:00am–12:00pm
📖 Workshop 2: Storytelling – Saturday 25 July, 11:00am–12:00pm
🖼️ Workshop 3: Finalising Your Photographs & Stories – Saturday 1 August, 11:00am–12:00pm

The workshops are completely free, held online via Zoom, and no previous photography experience is needed.

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/photography-fundamentals-for-health-wellbeing-4854963

Showcase Your Experience

Participants will have the opportunity to submit their photographs to be displayed at the DUALITY: Journeys of Ageing and Multiple Long-Term Conditions community exhibition.

The exhibition celebrates the real-life experiences of people living with long-term health conditions, those who support them, and the communities around them.

Join the DUALITY Community Event

The exhibition forms part of a free community event taking place at Bush House, King’s College London.

Date: Tuesday 8 September
Time: 4:00pm – 7:30pm

Visitors can enjoy:

A community photography exhibition.
Conversations with people who have lived experience of long-term conditions.
Information from local health and community organisations.
A discussion about realistic ways to include exercise and wellbeing in everyday life.
Complimentary refreshments.

The event is open to everyone, but registration is required as places are limited.

Interested?

If you’re an unpaid carer and would like to explore your creativity while helping raise awareness of the realities of caring and long-term health conditions, we encourage you to register for these free workshops.

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

This opportunity is free, welcoming, and open to everyone, no photography experience required.

Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 – Alcohol and Me

This week (6–12 July) marks Alcohol Awareness Week 2026, organised by Alcohol Change UK. This year’s theme, “Alcohol and Me,” encourages us to take a moment to reflect on our own relationship with alcohol and the impact it can have on our health, mental wellbeing, relationships and everyday lives.

For many unpaid carers supporting someone with a mental health condition, life can be emotionally demanding. While we often focus on the person we care for, it’s just as important to look after our own wellbeing. This campaign reminds us that seeking support, talking openly and making small positive changes can make a real difference.

To support this important awareness week, I’ve created a new video on my YouTube channel, A Caring Mind, exploring why Alcohol Awareness Week matters, particularly for carers and families affected by mental ill health.

If this post resonates with you, please share the video to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and remind carers that their wellbeing matters too.

For more information about Alcohol Awareness Week and the “Alcohol and Me” campaign, visit Alcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/alcohol-awareness-week-1

Have You Supported Someone Through Womb Cancer? Your Experience Could Help Improve Care

By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of Cancer Caregiver group

Supporting a loved one through a cancer diagnosis is a journey that often goes unseen. Family members, partners, friends, and other caregivers provide emotional support, help navigate appointments, and stand alongside patients during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. Yet their experiences are rarely heard.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) are inviting people who have supported someone with endometrial (womb) cancer to take part in a research study exploring the cancer diagnostic journey. The study is particularly interested in hearing from people who have supported women experiencing economic hardship, as well as Black women, who are more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer at a later stage, when treatment can be more difficult.

Your Story Matters

Every caregiver’s experience provides valuable insight into the challenges people face before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. By sharing your story, you can help researchers better understand the barriers to timely diagnosis and identify ways to improve support for future patients and their families.

Your voice could contribute to research that helps reduce health inequalities and improve cancer care across the UK.

Who Can Take Part?

You may be eligible if:

You are 18 years or older.
You supported a friend or family member diagnosed with endometrial (womb) cancer.
The person you supported completed treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy) within the last 2–5 years.
Their cancer treatment took place in the UK.
Your experience involved economic hardship.
You are willing to participate in a one-hour interview.

What’s Involved?

Participants will be invited to take part in a one-hour interview, either online or at UCL. Translation support is available for people whose first language is not English, and participants will receive a gift card as a thank-you for their time.

Interested?

If you think you may be eligible or would like to learn more, please contact the research team:

Email: ruby.neish.25@ucl.ac.uk

On a side note, remember I also run the Cancer Caregiver group the last wednesday of the month, see poster below.