Unpaid carers living in London could be helped back into work thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, the European Social Fund and Carers Trust, the largest charity for unpaid carers.

The charity has received a development grants of over £93,000 from Big Lottery Fund to work with its network of services across Greater London to develop two key programmes which will help unpaid carers to access, return or stay in employment.

If successful at the final stage, the initiative, ‘Working for Carers’, would see almost £2 million invested in unpaid carers and will offer them an extensive package to support and develop them.

It would include helping carers to improve their self-confidence and increase their chances of gaining and sustaining employment. Carers would also be offered financial and benefits advice so they can access the support they are entitled to while working.

It would target carers over the age of 25 across more than 30 London boroughs and if given final approval by the Big Lottery Fund would be funded through Building Better Opportunities, a joint investment with Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, and launch in 2016.

Gail Scott-Spicer, CEO of Carers Trust, said:

“Many unpaid carers struggle to get back into work. Thanks to the support of the Big Lottery Fund, this programme will mean that carers will have the opportunity to return to work and get the support they need from local carers charities to stay there. We’re looking forward to helping to make this a reality.”