We are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Jo Wilcox who was the first – and for a while – only person employed by the ‘Suffolk Carers Project’
As a part time project manager, working from a tiny office in Ipswich, Jo sought out family carers from across Suffolk. At that time the needs of carers were largely unrecognised, and therefore ignored. The focus was almost always on the ‘cared for’.
By listening to family carers talk about their lives and integrating those experiences with the findings emerging from research elsewhere it was Jo’s vision and dedication that led directly to greater awareness and understanding of the needs of carers by both social care and the NHS.
Jo’s pioneering work resulted in carers needs being firmly placed on the wider agenda and crucially winning the resources necessary to set Suffolk Family Carers on the path to become the organisation we know today.
Jo died very peacefully at home after a long illness. She had planned her own funeral and was surrounded by her family.
Our condolences to her family and friends.”
