Case Study: Carers Leeds

6th November 2024

Carers Leeds offers confidential one to one and group support that helps carers keep on caring. They are based in the centre of Leeds, and also offer support in local communities, over the phone and online.

Their case study shares how their digital inclusion programme has helped a carer to feel more connected and confident.

Celebrating digital inclusion

The 65 year old female carer (caring for her son struggling with substance misuse) was referred into the Carers Leeds digital inclusion project after expressing an interest in becoming more confident going online. She owned her own smartphone and laptop but only used them for very limited things such as calls, reading emails, and WhatsApp.

The carer also struggled with her job, e.g. accessing work training. Being unable to do certain tasks was having an impact on her wellbeing (such as banking, shopping, and accessing online support). After conducting a digital assessment, our digital inclusion co-ordinator matched the carer to a volunteer digital inclusion befriender in her local area who had similar interests.

Building skills through befriending

They were introduced at a local library and went on to have ten digital befriending sessions which covered a wide variety of topics. Our befriender supported the carer to access work training remotely and supported her with various tasks to help her manage her caring role more, e.g. how to shop and bank online, sign up for a blue light card, access mental health websites online, and book GP appointments online. 

Following the support, the carer reported a confidence level of four out of five (her baseline score was two) and reported the support had made a positive impact on her life. The carer mentioned “the befriender was very patient and helped to build confidence.” She also reported knowing things she didn’t know how to do before and was ‘very grateful’ for the support. The carer was aware she could contact Carers Leeds in the future if she wanted any refresher sessions but felt satisfied with the amount she had learned during the digital befriending sessions.