Relatives & Residents Association

We support, inform and campaign on behalf of older people in care in the UK: http://www. relres.org.

The Relatives & Residents Association operates in three key areas:

Helpline

We run a helpline which offers information, comfort and support to the many family and friends who find themselves, either having to deal with helping their loved ones make the move into a residential home or, raising concerns about the care they are already receiving.

Our helpline staff are here to empower callers with the information they need to resolve their issues. Where this is not possible, or a greater level of support is required, we offer a more in-depth service which may include making calls or writing on a caller’s behalf.

Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday 9. 30am – 4. 30pm.


Campaigning

With almost twenty years of working on the single issue of ‘older people in care’ the Relatives & Residents Association has become a leading voice in this arena. Our in-depth knowledge enables us to lobby governments and campaign for changes to ensure ever higher standards and ongoing improvements in care.

Our most current campaign is a call for the reinstatement of regular care home inspections - under new ruling this crucial service has been slashed and regular mandatory inspections are no longer a compulsory requirement. Older people in care are more vulnerable than ever before.


Resources and Projects

We believe that forging partnerships with care providers is an important step to attaining the best the industry has to offer. We consider our influence is key to ensuring that, in their attitudes, as well as their methods, care workers strive always for excellence.

In support of this we encourage membership and offer a range of training materials aimed at care providers and their staff.

We are continually upgrading our resources and are currently putting together our latest project – an information pack on best practice in an easily accessible format for front line carers, particularly those who have English as a second language.