Parent carers of disabled children tend to have poorer mental and physical health than other parents. Researchers and parent carers have co-developed a programme to improve the health and wellbeing of parent carers of disabled children.
The programme is led by parent carers and involves working with others in a group to encourage behaviours associated with better health and wellbeing. The behaviours are called CLANGERS: Connect, Learn, be Active, Notice, Give, Eat well, Relax and Sleep, and are based on a book by Dr Phil Hammond.
Advisory groups
The topic of parent carers’ health and wellbeing was initially brought up in a PenCRU Family Faculty meeting. Since then we have worked on developing the programme, which is guided by three groups:
1. Parent carers from the PenCRU Family Faculty, who meet regularly to discuss and provide feedback on each of the stages of the programme development and testing;
2. Stakeholders, such as members of relevant organisations and charities; and
3. Experts in health-related psychological and behavioural interventions.