Irish Life Donate €350,000 to Family Carers Ireland

Family Carers Ireland today announced it has received vital funding from Irish Life to support family carers during and post the current COVID-19 pandemic. Family Carers Ireland will receive a donation of €350,000 to support its essential support services for family carers.

COVID-19 is leaving its mark on all our lives and none more so than family carers caring for loved ones in their own homes. The funding committed will be targeted at three specific areas including:

• Intensive support to assist families who, as a result of social distancing and cocooning, are under increased pressure in respect of:

• Their own health
• Their caring role
• How they are managing/coping at home
• Finances and any additional burden i.e. increased bills/income loss
• Finding time for themselves
• In-home respite hours for family carers who need a break from increased caring pressures during and post pandemic
• Emergency transition cover to address a family carers’ greatest fear – what happens if I can’t keep caring?

Speaking about the donation Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement, Family Carers Ireland said: “One of our many concerns with Covid-19 is that family carers will fall between the cracks and their voices might not be heard amid all the unrest. We want to ensure that family carers remain protected and supported throughout these difficult times and Irish Life’s remarkable donation will help us to do this. It allows us to target supports at those most in need during the coming weeks and months and also ensure that family carers remain supported post Covid-19. We are eternally grateful for this lifeline for family carers and wish to express our most sincere gratitude to all in Irish Life.”

The donation from Irish Life is a continuation of its ongoing support for the charity and its members. Family Carers Ireland works in partnership with Irish Life on its Caring Employers initiative which sees the organisation offer support to employees who juggle a family caring role with their paid work.

Commenting on the donation, Declan Bolger, incoming Chief Executive, Irish Life said: “Supporting those in need is integral to our culture at Irish Life, and it is important we continue to support those working to help the most vulnerable in our communities. Family Carers Ireland give so much back to our communities and I am pleased we here at Irish Life can support them in continuing the invaluable work they do during this challenging time. The donation will ensure Family Carers Ireland and its members can continue their vital work over the coming weeks.”

Family Carers Ireland have put a number of provisions in place and are liaising with other national bodies to deliver services to vulnerable family carers across our network. Advice is available via our Freephone National Careline 1800 240724 and via an online Carers’ Coffee Club on the charity’s Facebook page each Thursday at 11am offering expert advice during the Covid-19 crisis from some of the county’s top health experts.

Our Emergency Care Plan booklet is also available to download here.

Family Carers Ireland will be putting a plan in place over the coming days and weeks to ensure that this funding goes towards supports and services for those most in need within our membership and community throughout and beyond Covid-19.