FAMILY CARERS PROJECT
Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland is a project lead by South East Technological University (SETU) Lifelong Learning, in collaboration with Family Carers Ireland (FCI). This is a three-year project funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) that runs from January 2022 to December 2024.
The aim of the project is to create a transformative and holistic educational experience for family carers through diversifying course delivery to increase accessibility to third level educational opportunities. To achieve this transformative methodological approach, the project has five key pillars:
- Pillar 1: Co-create Educational Programmes
- Pillar 2: Create a Caring Employers Network
- Pillar 3: Co-create a Young Family Carers Transition to Higher Education Programme
- Pillar 4: Create Communities of Practice
- Pillar 5: Showcase Event
The aim of this project is to support family carers through providing accredited certificate courses in subject areas that give them the space, knowledge and resources to maintain and enhance their wellbeing and care safely and confidently for their loved ones at home.
For most family carers, funded, part-time, third-level courses provide the only viable option to enter higher level education. For 94% of course participants to date, this is their first experience of third level education. The bespoke Certificate in Family Caring was created and rolled-out as the first course option under the project and was delivered on a schedule that accommodated participants’ daytime caring commitments.
The course also allowed family carers to meet and provide peer support to one another, thereby reducing social isolation and enhancing their caregiving skills, facilitating engagement in third-level education, and leading to renewed self-confidence.
RECOGNISING YOURSELF AS A FAMILY CARER:
Do you do any of these roles for a loved one, friend or neighbour?
- Provide round the clock care
- Balance work alongside a caring role
- Assist in personal hygiene/cleaning, etc.
- Stay with someone who is vulnerable
- Take a family member to appointments, etc.
- Prepare meals/housework/shopping
If you do, then YOU are a family carer. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, we would like to work with you.
Meet The Team
Our Project Coordinator, Nicola, has over 15 years’ experience in the community education sector. Nicola has worked with adults and young people, helping them to overcome obstacles to achieving educational success. Additionally, she has extensive experience coordinating numerous projects from development to delivery.
With over 20 years’ experience at SETU, Michelle oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of the project for both staff and students. This includes applications, registrations, and general student and staff support. Michelle has worked in many student administration roles such as Student Services and Academic Administration.