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2021 Call for Nominations: IRELAND’S CALL! Family Carers Ireland is calling for nominations for the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards 2021. Pictured at the awards launch are l-r: Catherine Cox, FCI Head of Communications & Policy; Mick Galwey, Netwatch Brand Ambassador and Ireland rugby legend; Shauna Tighe, former Dublin Young Carer of the Year and Colin Hayes, Netwatch Head of Business, Ireland & UK.
Throughout Ireland, family carers dedicate themselves to providing remarkable levels of care in the home to loved ones, relatives and family friends with additional needs. With the pandemic, it has never been more important to recognise family carers and the selfless work they have done to protect those they care for. The Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards will honour Ireland’s hidden frontline and we need your help to identify these amazing family carers through nominations.
There are two categories of awards:
In Ireland, over 500,000 family carers provide unpaid care in the home for loved ones such as children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health or addiction. Their work often goes unrecognised and their own health, educational and social needs can be affected, as the family carer puts the needs of their loved ones first. Family carers save the state €20bn per annum, and provide an astonishing 19 million hours of care each week. By 2030, 1 in 5 will be a family carer.
There are over 67,000 children between the ages of 10 and 17 providing regular care to a loved one in the home. Many do not see themselves as being young carers. They think of themselves as a family member, a brother, a sister, a son, or a daughter and can presume that all families provide this sort of support. As a result, they often don’t realise that there is help available to them.
Nominations for the 2022 awards will open shortly. We will announce this across our social media channels so keep an eye out!