Research That Cares is a site for anyone interested in supporting people who care for family members or friends with long-term illnesses or disabilities.

In the UK they are referred to as unpaid carers because, although their labour saves the government more than £160 billion each year, they don’t receive wages, annual leave, or a pension when they retire.

In the USA, and other parts of the world, they are referred to as family caregivers. Depending on their age or who they care for, terms like ‘young carers‘ or ‘parent carers‘ might also apply.

But it doesn’t matter which word you use. The important thing to understand is that carers make a vital contribution to our society that is rarely acknowledged, celebrated, or recompensed.

Research That Cares is on a mission to change that. This website is about ensuring that people who can use evidence for good – clinicians, policy makers, support workers, and advocacy organisations – are able to access it. And that carers can see their own stories and experiences reflected in the research. Drawing on the work of Associate Professor Siobhan O’Dwyer, and her colleagues, this website brings together evidence and resources, and champions the voices of carers.

Because why just do research on care, when you could do research that really cares!