JAMI offers support to the relatives and carers of people with mental health problems. In consultation with staff and carers, we have developed a mix of support groups and speakers co-ordinated by JAMI’s Mental Health Lead. This format has proved popular with carers and sessions take place once a month. While the current group - the majority of who have been carers for many years - values speakers and educational topics, we have identified a need for a new group supporting younger people whose loved ones have only recently been diagnosed. These carers are struggling to come to terms with the perceived implications of a Mental Health diagnosis and need support with more personal issues. They may also be struggling with identifying themselves as carers of a person with Mental Health needs. As these two groups are different in their hopes and expectations, we would like to expand the service, establishing two groups rather than one, in order to address the separate needs of the new carers. We wish to develop a separate education and training programme which addresses the issues that new carers have. And, in addition to the new monthly Carer Support Group sessions proposed, we will also extend the telephone advice and support offered to carers – we support carers who call JAMI with specific practical questions or who require emotional support – to include more face-to-face work and individual support when required. We are looking for a donation of £5,000 to develop and run this new programme.