The Carer's Fund

The Institute recognises that many of its members have caring responsibilities, whether this is for children, elderly or disabled relatives or friends. As a result, they are sometimes prevented from attending conferences and events because there is no provision for the extra costs incurred in paying for the additional care needed while they are away at the event.

The Carers’ Fund provides IOA members with the opportunity to apply for a grant to contribute towards additional costs of care when attending events, meetings and conferences. It must be used towards the costs associated with additional care for the person or people that the member cares for; and it must be an acoustics-related conference, meeting or event.

Recently, Dr Hasina Rahman applied to the Carers’ Fund to attend the Noise Network Plus General Assembly in Manchester to present her project. She told us the following:

“The event was beneficial for me as my son is 20-months old and at a point now where he is very attached and still needs me to help him nap and feed during the day. The IoA Carers’ Fund meant that my husband could come and stay in the same hotel as where the General Assembly of the Noise Network Plus event was taking place so he could be close by to me to look after our son. Staying in the same venue also meant that I could go to my room during breaks and make sure my son was ok and be there to support with feeds, day-time naps and any additional comfort that he needed.

I am extremely grateful that the IOA have supported me with the Carers’ Fund. This allowed me to attend the Noise Network Plus General Assembly and communicate my research to the wider acoustics network. As a first-time mother, it can be really challenging attending such events and feeling guilty when having to leave my child at home for a long period of time. This fund allowed me to feel much more at ease knowing that my son was nearby and that the necessary funds were given so my husband could also travel and be there for childcare support.”

Dr Hasina Rahman also received financial support from the Noise Network Plus via its Early Career Travel Grant scheme.

If you are interested and feel this can benefit your professional development, the guidelines and application form are available on the website here

For additional information or questions, please send an email to ioa@ioa.org.uk.