'A New Deal for unpaid carers in Northern Ireland

A New Deal for unpaid carers in Northern Ireland has been published by the Coalition of Carers Organisations NI. The report was co-designed with over 240 unpaid carers in Northern Ireland and sets out the priority policy changes they want to see in the realms of health and social care, welfare, housing, employment and more.

There are over 220,000 people providing unpaid care for a sick or disabled family member or friend in Northern Ireland. Despite the multi-billion-pound savings they deliver here each year, too many local carers are being driven to breaking point by unrelenting caring duties, few opportunities for a break, poverty and patchy support from Health and Social Care services.

Drawing exclusively on the views and experiences of a diverse mix of carers, the New Deal outlines a strategic approach to better supporting the unpaid carer population for Stormont departments, public services and more.

The Coalition of Carers Organisations NI is a collective of community and voluntary sector groups and trade unions that support and advocate for unpaid carers in Northern Ireland. The Coalition is chaired by Carers NI and has the following members: Action for Children, Action Mental Health, Age NI, Angel Eyes, Barnardo’s, CAUSE, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Mencap, MND Association, MS Society, NIPSA, Parent Action, Parkinson’s UK NI, Stroke Association and Women’s Support Network.