Carers Need More Support

There are over 185,000 carers in Northern Ireland and almost six million in the UK as a whole.  The unpaid contribution of these carers is estimated to be £87 billion each year.

New research highlighted during Carers Week (14th-20th June) has suggested that 80% of people in Northern Ireland who look after an ill, frail or disabled loved one do not have a life outside their caring role.  Many carers give up their job, decent income, leisure time and social lives due to their caring roles. 

Citizens Advice believes that there is a clear need for more advice and information to be made available to carers across a range of issues including benefits, debt, employment rights and discrimination.  Evidence from our clients suggests that carers are often unaware or confused about the benefits and services that they or the person they care for could receive.

There are a range of events taking place to mark Carers Week in Northern Ireland and more information can be found on the Carers Week website at www.carersweek.org.