 I
would like to welcome you to The Belfast Carers' Centre
web site.
Carers are people who
give up their time - without receiving payment - to provide
help and support to a relative, child or friend who may
not be able to manage because of frailty, illness or disability.
The contribution they make to others' health and well-being
is immeasurable. Carers provide support for people so that
they may live independently but they in turn also need support.
It should also be remembered that caring for someone can
be exhausting, thankless and isolating work.
The Belfast Carers'
Centre is an independent organization that has worked for
over ten years in supporting and caring for carers.
As Minister for Health,
I share the view of Assembly Members that more needs to
be done to recognize, value and support the caring role.
I and my Department are committed to addressing carers'
needs and providing the right support and services.
In January 2006
the Caring for Carers strategy was launched. It set out
a strategy to support carers to enable them to have a better
quality of life and give them the sort of support that they
require to do their jobs. Initiatives that have been introduced
such as Direct Payments and Carer Assessments are giving
carers the opportunity to discuss and to plan for what they
need by way of emotional, practical and financial support.
Organizations
such as The Belfast Carers' Centre are well placed to understand
and respond to carers' needs. That is why I expect the statutory
health and social sector to engage meaningfully with voluntary
and community organizations about the planning, delivery
and evaluation of services.
I welcome this web site
as a place to find support and advice. I trust that you
will find it useful.
Michael
McGimpsey
Minister
for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
WHERE
TO FIND US
|
