Carers UK
CIRCLE's partnership with the national voluntary organisation Carers UK began in 2002 when Sue Yeandle's research team was appointed to evaluate the ACE1 partnership (Action for Carers and Employment).
It continued through ACE2, when, in 2006, the University of Leeds entered the ACE2 partnership, also led by Carers UK, and again funded through the EU EQUAL Community Initiative Programme.
During 2006 to 2007, CIRCLE's team of research staff conducted a large national study, the CES (Carers, Employment and Services) study.
CIRCLE's new partnership with Carers UK, focused on knowledge transfer activities within the CIRCLE CIC in Social Care, commenced early in 2008, and supported the organisation of the 5th International Conference on Carers in Leeds, 8-11 July 2010.
A full report, Valuing Carers, written by Carers UK and Dr Lisa Buckner from CIRCLE, published in May 2011, gives national, regional and local estimates of carers' contribution. The report estimates the increase in carer numbers since the 2001 Census (an increase from 5.8 million in 2001 to 6.4 million in 2011) and recalculates the value of the care they provide using the latest unit cost of providing care £18 an hour - see 'Care Calculator' at www.carersuk.org.
The report can be downloaded at:
Valuing Carers 2011: calculating the value of carers' support
Carers UK
Carers UK is a member-led charitable institution that campaigns for recognition of carers' contributions to society.