Peace and reconciliation in Ireland: a cross‐border approach to meeting carers' needs
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2010.0138 |
| Pages | 16-22 |
| Date | 14 April 2010 |
| Published date | 14 April 2010 |
| Author | Gráinne Fadden,Rebecca Heelis,Michelle Palmer |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research • Volume 2 Issue 2 • April 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd16
10.5042/jacpr.2010.0138
Background
It is well documented that mental health
problems like schizophrenia not only impact on
the quality of life of the patients but can also
impose substantial psychological, emotional,
social, physical and financial demands on the
carer (Awad & Voruganti, 2008). The Princess
Royal Trust for Carers (2009) defines a carer as:
‘Someone, who, without payment, provides
help and support to a partner, child, relative,
friend or neighbour, who could not manage
without their help. This could be due to
age, physical or mental illness, addiction or
disability.’
Peace and reconciliation in
Ireland: a cross-border approach
to meeting carers’ needs
Gráinne Fadden
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Director of Meriden Family Programme, Birmingham and
Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Rebecca Heelis
Psychology Research Assistant, Meriden Family Programme, Birmingham and Solihull Mental
Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Michelle Palmer
Honorary Psychology Research Assistant, Meriden Family Programme, Birmingham and Solihull
Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
ABS TR AC T
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 delivered 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.
KEY WORDS
Carers; training trainers; carers as trainers; mental health; peace; Ireland.
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