£4.4 Million fund to support carers

19 Apr 2021

The Community Foundation are proud to be partnering with the Department of Health to support unpaid carers with a new £4.4 million fund, which will open in the next few months via the Foundation website.

Today (Monday 19th April) Health Minister Robin Swann announced the new fund, entitled Support for Carers’ Fund.

The fund will be open to the community and voluntary sector organisations with charitable purposes offering support to carers and operating within Northern Ireland.

In launching the scheme, Minister Swann said, “I am delighted to announce £4.4m which will provide support for charities working for and with unpaid carers in recognition of the significant impact that Covid-19 has had on them and those they care for. Unpaid carers are the backbone of society, supporting and caring for many that may otherwise struggle without that help.  The role of unpaid carers can often go unrecognised and this funding will provide much-needed help and support at a time when many have increased their caring role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am full of admiration for carers and their tremendous dedication. They make many sacrifices and its right that they should be given our support and thanks for all they do.”

As a Foundation, we will engage with carers and those working at the community level to ensure funding reaches the areas of need in Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the Fund, Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation explained: “We are delighted to be managing this much-needed fund for carers. Enhancing access to and availability of advice services for carers, including support available through new technologies. This fund will also enhance the skills of carers to advocate for the needs of both themselves and the person they care for, supporting improved physical and mental health and wellbeing of carers.”

“In the past 12 months, we have been working closely with the Departments to ensure swift support reaches the areas of need enabling communities to significantly enhance their services at this time, and that is our focus via this fund.

“We are proud to be working with the Departments once again to support communities in need, and grateful that they fully recognise our close trusted links with community groups and our ability to connect and deliver funding where it can make an immediate impact at the grassroots level. We look forward to supporting carers with this fund.”

*Note*, this fund is not currently open for applications, we will announce the fund open date in the next few months. 

Image, from left to right, Health Minister Robin Swann with, George McDowell, his mother and carer Emma McDowell, and Siofra Healy, Community Foundation.