VSS Focus on Carers Week
Carers Week is an annual campaign that provides a vital opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing carers and to connect more carers to available support.
As part of our work supporting victims and survivors, we developed our Carers Respite Scheme, which supports carers of victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict, offering them relief from their caring duties. Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they experience, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care.
Our Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers meet with carers (of victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict) to assess their needs and identify how we can support them through our Carers Respite Scheme. We support many carers with respite from caring responsibilities and support packages for laundering, cleaning, ironing or gardening services.
We know that carers face significant inequalities, putting them at a greater risk of poor mental and physical health, social isolation, financial hardship, and poverty. Since 2020 our Carers Respite Scheme has made 120 awards to carers. We are proud of the positive impact this scheme is having for carers.
“Knowing that I can call VSS and be provided a space to voice concerns and create a plan forward is as beneficial as the practical/ financial support provided.”
If you would like to know more information about our Carers Respite Scheme, please call us on 028 9027 9100.