Council pays tribute to vital role of carers in the Down District community

Council pays tribute to vital role of carers in the Down District community

14 November 2012

DOWN Arts Centre in Downpatrick was the venue last week for a special event to recognise and support the role of carers in the community.

Down Council’s Women In Local Councils working group, in partnership with the South Eastern Trust, organised the event.

It was attended by the local authority’s so-called diversity champion, Councillor Carmel O’Boyle, who said community care for the vast majority of those who require care in their own homes has always meant the informal care given to them by their family member mostly goes on unrecognised.

She said last week’s event recognised the dedication of carers who provide support to family or friends who could not manage without this help.

Councillor O’Boyle said this could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health difficulties.

Carers who attended the event received an inspirational talk from Life Coach Teresa McBride whose aim is to give people access to a wide variety of proven tools to  live life to the full.

Joan Scott, the South Eastern Trust’s Carer’s Development Officer, said the support given to family members and friends by carers can be demanding, both physically and emotionally.