Hidden worlds: navigating a fragmented system to stop carers breaking down
Parallel 2
17 November, 2026 3:20 – 4:30 pmFamily Carers in Conversation
Frances has nearly 20 years’ experience of working in the charity sector. With a background in fundraising, Frances started her career at the King’s Trust and has led teams at RNID, Girlguiding and Young Women’s Trust to diversify and grow income to maximise impact. Alongside her CEO role at Dementia Carers Count, Frances is Vice Chair of Thames Hospice – a leading provider of specialist palliative and end of life care.
Frances is passionate about fundraising for great causes and has undertaken a number of gruelling challenges, including the Brighton Marathon, a stair climb and a five day trek across the Sahara, raising significant funds.
As a former dementia carer, she is determined to make sure that carers have access to the support they need.
Summary
Unpaid carers provide £21 billion of UK dementia care annually, yet 80% reach crisis point within a fragmented system, where both dementia carers themselves, and their routes to help, are hidden.
This session, co-delivered by CEO Frances Lawrence (former carer) and one of the charity’s service users, explores how specialist intermediary services can support carers so they become able to access existing rights and entitlements, helping to reduce carer breakdown and improve outcomes for carers and people with dementia.



