During Carers Week, two health trusts in Northern Ireland have launched new support programmes for unpaid carers, offering a range of activities and dedicated clinics to help them manage their own health and wellbeing.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust introduced its Carer Support Programme, which will run until March 2027. The programme includes in-person and online activities such as a walking group at Antrim Castle Gardens, peer support sessions in Maghera, Ballyclare, Ballymena and Bushmills, as well as online book clubs, mindfulness sessions, journaling and self-care workshops. The Trust stated that the programme was co-produced with unpaid family carers, and for the first time, carers themselves are helping to lead some activities, including gardening and craft sessions.

A carer involved in the programme said that the approach demonstrated the wider abilities of carers beyond their daily responsibilities. The Trust’s Carer Pathway Steering Group Chair, Sam Bell, and Deputy Chair, Virginia Maxwell, said that the programme was shaped by carer members who worked together with the Trust to create a varied, supportive and practical offering.

Northern Trust Carers Coordinator Claire Campbell said the initiative aimed to ensure carers felt recognised and supported throughout the year, not only during Carers Week. She said the insight and lived experience of carers had been central to shaping a meaningful and accessible programme. She added that the programme was intended to provide practical support and encourage carers to attend to their own health and wellbeing.

The Northern Trust also plans to launch an updated Carer Strategy for 2026–2031 later this year, with a consultation period extended to 30 June. The draft strategy focuses on six themes: carer health and advocacy, identification, information, communication, navigation, and transitions. Unpaid carers, families, Trust staff, and voluntary and community organisations are invited to submit feedback.

Separately, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust is highlighting a pilot Carer’s Clinic operating within the Lurgan Integrated Care Team. The monthly clinic provides carers with a dedicated space to meet a social worker, complete a Carer’s Assessment, and obtain information about available services. Feedback from attendees has been positive, with carers reporting they discovered support they were previously unaware of and felt better informed.

Roisin Magennis, Social Work Professional Lead with Lurgan Integrated Care Team, said the clinic was created to give carers time for themselves and the opportunity to speak openly. She said it had been encouraging to see how much carers appreciated having someone to listen and guide them. The early learning from the pilot is helping to shape the future development of the clinic.

Brian Beattie, Director of Adult Community Services for the Southern Trust, said that while caring can be rewarding, it can also be challenging. He said the pilot clinic was about creating time and space for carers to focus on their own needs, aligning with the Trust’s focus on helping people live well at home and in their communities.

Both initiatives coincide with Carers Week, an annual event highlighting the contribution of unpaid carers across society.