The aim of the programme was for sites to develop and enhance the local support available to carers and, where possible, to measure the quality and effectiveness of the new provision.
The national evaluation of the DS programme was commissioned to assess the extent to which these goals were achieved, with a particular focus on: mapping the Demonstrator Sites’ activities; assessing the effectiveness of their initiatives; examining the impact on carer health and well-being; outlining the cost of initiatives; and assessing the extent of carer engagement in the planning, delivery and evaluation of the programme.