Are you a carer? Help us to understand how carers support people to access health information

carer and older man

Type of activity: Focus group

Organised by: Cancer Research UK 

Location: Online, anywhere

Time commitment: One-off focus group;

  • The session for unpaid carers will take place virtually on 22nd January between 12 – 2.15pm 
  • The session for paid carers will take place virtually on 25th January between 6 – 8pm 

Payment and Expenses:  As per our involvement payment policy, we offer £30 for 2 hours, £50 for 4 hours, £80 for full day.  It includes meetings and any preparation time. In addition, we offer a £5 allowance for online meetings.

Looking for: 

  • Paid or unpaid carers across the UK that help people access and understand information about their health. 
  • This opportunity is appropriate for, but not limited to, carers for people with learning disabilities.  
  • If you care for someone aged 50-75 that is preferable, but we will consider carers who support anyone aged 18 or over.

Closing date: Tuesday 2 January 2024
 

Cancer Research UK is looking to understand how carers engage with health information for those they care for, to help reduce their risk of cancer and get an earlier cancer diagnosis.

We're holding focus groups to explore if and how carers find and use relevant health information and whether further resources are needed. We’ll also look at the role you play, as a carer, to help people to make positive steps about their health. 

*Below is a description of what we're classing as health information and what counts as a paid or unpaid carer.

The focus group attendees will also be asked to complete a 5-minute survey before the session to help us understand existing cancer awareness knowledge.  

We’re looking for people who:  

  • Are paid or unpaid carers  
  • Care for someone with a learning disability or someone who needs help accessing and understanding information about their health (this includes if you care for someone with cancer provided you were already caring for them before their diagnosis)
  • Preferably care for someone aged 50 - 75, though we will consider carers who support anyone aged 18 or over
  • Are comfortable sharing their opinion and experience of helping people they care for look after their health 

You do NOT need : 

  • Any prior knowledge of Cancer Research UK or the work we do
  • Any prior experience of involvement with Cancer Research UK opportunities
  • Any knowledge of cancer prevention and early diagnosis topics

Note: We have a maximum of 10 places for this focus group to allow for the in-depth discussion we require. We, therefore, can't guarantee you a place at this event. We’ll contact everyone interested to let you know if you have a place or not.  

If you'd like more information or have any questions about this project or getting involved in this focus group including accessibility, please email joel.williams@cancer.org.

Register your interest
 

In this context, health information means helping those you care for: 

  • Make small changes to reduce their risk of cancer
  • Understand the importance of spotting unusual changes to their body, or potential signs and symptoms that could be cancer 
  • Understand what cancer screening is, and supporting them to take part 
  • Talk to the doctor about something that isn’t quite right 

Who counts as an unpaid carer?

A person who cares for someone who may be a spouse, parent, partner, friend, neighbour, or relative who needs help because of their illness, frailty, or disability and cannot cope without their support.

Who counts as a paid carer?

A professional care worker in a paid role. This can include carers in nursing homes, residential homes, supported living establishments, and personal at-home carers.

 

Take part in our focus group as a carer. Tell us how you engage with information about health and how you use it to help those you care for.

Register your interest

Diversity

At CRUK we value diversity and we're committed to creating an inclusive space where everyone is able to be themselves and help shape our work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and cultures and believe that a range of views and experiences will help us represent all people affected by cancer.