Social Ventures
Q&A: How START is helping support the next generation of carers
12 June 2025
This Carers Week, UCLB talks to Ana Lemmo Charnalia, Senior Business Manager, Social Ventures, about the work of START, an intervention to help carers of people with dementia.
Carers Week (9 – 15 June 2025). Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
To mark the event, we spoke to Ana Lemmo Charnalia about her work with social venture, START (Strategies for Relatives) Training.
Find out about START here: https://mediacentral.ucl.ac.uk/player?autostart=n&videoId=a6bgA3cb&captions=y&chapterId=0&playerJs=n
Can you tell us what START is and what inspired its development?
START is a structured, evidence-based intervention designed to support carers of people with dementia. It originated from research at UCL led by Prof Livingstone and Prof Rapaport. The UCL team is now providing training to clinically and non-clinically qualified staff to deliver START. The goal of START is to equip carers with coping strategies that improve their wellbeing and resilience.
What role does UCL Business (UCLB) play in START?
UCLB supports the commercialisation of the START Training through its Social Ventures portfolio. As a Senior Business Manager at UCLB, I help bridge the gap between academic research and community impact. We work closely with researchers, clinicians, and third-sector organisations to expand START’s reach and impact.
What are some of the current initiatives underway to expand START’s reach?
The organisation is currently implementing a multi-pronged strategy. This includes developing a marketing plan to let different audiences know about training opportunities to deliver START.
How is START engaging with the wider community?
START is building a community of practice that includes NHS memory services, third-sector organisations, and carers themselves. This network helps share best practices, and ensure the programme remains responsive to evolving needs.
What does the future hold for START?
START’s vision is to scale nationally and eventually internationally, exploring delivery models, expanding its training team, and seeking funding to support broader implementation.
Are you interested in learning more?
You can now register to attend the START Training in September, please visit