Contact with other carers

Carers can become isolated, so it's important to make sure you have contact with others and time for yourself. There are support services available that can help you find someone to talk to.

Your local Trust

Your local Health and Social Care Trust may have a list of local carers' groups. You can contact the Carer Co-ordinator in your local Health and Social Care Trust to find out what's available.

Organisations and charities for carers

There are many organisations and charities that offer services to carers. You can find contact details for some of them in the Contacts section of nidirect.

Meeting other carers

A number of carer’s organisations have local groups across Northern Ireland. Some organisations for specific conditions also have local groups. If the person you care for has a condition or illness for which there is a supportive organisation, check if that organisation has a group in your area. You can find contact details for many of them in the A-Z Guide for Carers.

The facilities and services offered can vary from group to group. Your local centre can tell you what is available in your area, such as:

regular meetings where members can get together, make new friends and share interests (these may be at a local centre or at members’ homes)
relaxing treats for carers, such as complementary therapies - for example, reflexology or massage (these may be subsidised)
training sessions with a back care nurse to help you look after the person you care for without damaging your back
professional counselling
social activities