Many people living with severe and enduring mental health conditions rely on support from close family members and friends. However, family and friend unpaid carers are often left out of the conversation, expected to navigate complex treatment pathways without the knowledge or tools they need to do so confidently or effectively.

We delivered one-to-one coaching sessions designed specifically for family and friend unpaid carers, helping them build a better understanding of health conditions, treatment options, and how the system works. The coaching focused on improving health literacy, self-advocacy, emotional resilience, and the confidence to ask questions and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

This approach helped family and friend unpaid carers feel more informed, empowered, and involved. Patients, in turn, benefited from more consistent support at home and stronger communication between families and care providers. For many, this meant fewer setbacks, better continuity of care, and a sense of being treated as a whole person — not just a diagnosis. The impact was tangible not just for individual families, but for the wider services they interact with.