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Please view our notes on Preliminary Working Documents (PWD’s) if you are unsure about the purpose of this document and its headings

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Overview

Unpaid carers are facing chronic emotional overload with higher risks of financial hardship or even poverty. To help carers deal with this, we’d like to pair them with trainee counsellors giving them access to (soon to be) professional services. Whilst this will not solve the underlying issues, it is intended to provide a caring environment for carers to talk about and manage their emotions in a safe environment.

There is a symbiotic relationship with this idea as it will also allow trainee counsellors to practice their craft and earn the recognition to complete their courses.

Scope

  1. Access
    1. Online web platform that can be accessed via Isaac’s Project or on its own
  2. Users
    1. Trainee Counsellors: Create a profile with their details, list their availability and methods of counselling (in-person, virtual or hybrid)
    2. Carers: Create a profile and can book appointments with trainee counsellors
  3. Booking Appointments
    1. Trainee counsellors can list their availability or create custom appointments for Carers they intend to have a regular appointment with
    2. Carers can book appointments and manage their attendance status
    3. Users can communicate with each other on the platform to supplement their bookings
  4. Virtual Appointments
    1. If a virtual appointment, video calls will be automatically scheduled with clear instructions on how to join for both Users
    2. Video calls will be managed by a third-party software (Twilio) removing the need for Users to learn how to use other software to manage their appointments
  5. Notifications
    1. Users will receive email and SMS notifications of their upcoming appointments to best prevent non-attendance

👉 Got another idea for this scope? Suggest an idea or get in touch :)

Assumptions & Constraints

Item Assumption/Constraint Status Impact Criticality Risk Potential Resolutions Identified by Notes
Limited funding Constraint Open This reduces the development of the concept and the resources that can be devoted to it. Critical High
There are currently no funding options open to develop this idea. • Canvas for more donations
• Ask for more assistance from Supporters ‣ • The only ‘funding’ available as of 25/5/2025 is the work ‣ is doing
Twilio will be a viable option as a video call provider Assumption Open If wrong, we’ll need to find another provider. If a provider can’t be found then we’ll have to get counsellors to arrange their own virtual sessions. Low Low
Twilio is a well known provider of video call services. • Ask Carers to schedule their own virtual sessions
• Find another provider ‣
Colleges and other institutions will be willing to recommend this opportunity to their students Assumption Open If not, then we will need to determine a different approach to finding counsellors. Medium Medium
We’re currently unsure of the willingness of educational institutions to work with programs such as ours. • Promote the program via different methods
• Approach fully qualified counsellors and ask for pro-bono work ‣
Trainee counsellors will be insured via their training program Assumption Open If not, we’ll need to arrange an insurance policy so there is indemnity. Medium Medium
We’ll need to research and ask individual institutions. • Get an organisational insurance for the idea
• Each counsellor gets their own insurance ‣

Stakeholders

Stakeholder Description Relation to Work Engagement Plan Notes
Carers Individuals who care for another individual or group of individuals These stakeholders are the ones we intend to help through this idea • Surveys
• Interviews (Individual & Group)
• Email notifications
• Community outreach
• Public announcements
• Personal Communication (e.g. Phone and Email)
Trainee Counsellors Individuals who are in professional training to become counsellors These stakeholders will provide counselling to Carers • Surveys
• Interviews (Individual & Group)
• Personal Communication (e.g. Phone and Email)
• Email notifications
• Community outreach
• Public announcements
Educational Providers Organisations training counsellors We will need to work and develop relationships with these stakeholders to build a reputation and connections to promote the idea • Interviews (Individual & Group)
• Community outreach
• Personal Communication (e.g. Phone and Email)
• Public announcements
Developers Software developers A product such as this will require a software development team to ensure build quality and maintenance • Working relationship

Tools & Technology