Ecclesiastical Insurance has announced a £100,000 partnership with the Carers Trust for 2012/13, which will fund a national conference for members later this year.

The 2012 Network Conference will be the first time that local independent Crossoads Care and Princess Royal Trust for Carers charities will come together since the merger of the national organisations earlier this year. The insurance provider will also fund research into support for carers of people with dementia.

Steve Wood, UK managing director at Ecclesiastical, which is celebrating its 125th year, said: “In our anniversary year we wanted to launch a new partnership which supported the core of our business.”

He added: “With Crossroads Care and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers coming together to form Carers Trust this year, this is also a special year for them and the perfect time to begin our partnership.”

The company has also launched a new 'helping hands' volunteering programme for staff and given each of its 900 employees a £125 grant to donate to any charity.