Citation

Fadden G, Heelis R, Palmer M. J. Aggress. Confl. Peace Res. 2010; 2(2): 16-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing)

DOI

10.5042/jacpr.2010.0138

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

With more than 160,000 carers in Ireland, there is a considerable need to provide support and coping strategies to reduce the burden of care on both the individual and the economy. Government policies are increasingly involving carers within health services, as they provide real-life insights into the needs of service users and carers. Further, healthcare professionals and carers can benefit from training delivered by the carers themselves.The current report was a highly successful initiative where carers and professionals from both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland worked together effectively to deliver an 11-week programme of support to carers of those with mental health problems. This innovative initiative aimed to achieve health gain and social well-being in the border areas, as well as to build constructive partnerships. The participants were relatively inexperienced in delivering training prior to the training course, but acquired the skills and knowledge needed with the help of a detailed training manual and three follow-up supervision days.The training trainers' course and subsequent caring for carers programme elivered by carers from both sides of the border were successful initiatives in bringing together people from both sides of the political divide in Northern Ireland, and in linking them with people from the Republic of Ireland.