Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

01 March 2006

Victims and Survivors groups heard today of a cash boost of half a million pounds (£0.5 million) to support their befriending work. The funds are being made available by the government's Victims Unit (OFMDFM) through the Community Relations Council (CRC) to promote one-to-one support of individual victims and survivors.

1 March 2006

New Cash for Victims but

Who Cares for the Carers?

“This funding is of vital significance in assisting and promoting the welfare and well-being of victims,” said Duncan Morrow, CRC's Chief Executive. “CRC is privileged to be able to work with Victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and looks forward to assisting groups in reducing social isolation.”

The funding announcement was made today at a CRC Conference in Omagh for Victims' groups at which groundbreaking research was revealed on the levels of burnout experienced by those caring for the Victims of the Troubles, often family members. The report, 'Who Cares for the Carers?', commissioned by CRC, examined the effects of long term care on those who care for Victims of the Troubles.

The Interim Victims Commissioner, Mrs Bertha McDougall was present at the conference and heard from two Carers of Victims from Omagh and Fermanagh who brought the reality of their situation to the fore. The two Carers commented on the struggles that they faced in their role in that they too were Victims of the Troubles dealing with the impact of trauma in their lives.

More than three quarters of carers consulted by the researchers provide care day and night, for on average 69 hours per week. Half of those consulted had been providing such care for over twenty years. As a result two in five were effectively feeling 'burn-out'. Interviews with representatives of victim support groups recognised the “loneliness of caring”. Many of the carers feel forgotten and invisible and where support is received it is mainly from other family members.

Joan Clements, CRC staff member working with victims' groups, said “CRC would welcome the development of support groups for carers. This would provide an incentive to meet and assist in reducing 'burn-out' levels and social isolation.”

The research report makes a number of recommendations to meet the needs of carers. It also suggests ways to improve Carer relationships with the statutory sector, possibly in joint initiatives with victim support groups.

At the CRC conference Volunteers were highlighted as crucially important to the support of Victims and Survivors. Information was provided on the different models of Volunteer Befriending activities, the importance of standards of care, supervision and support for Volunteers, etc. Participants heard from support agencies and groups working with Victims and Survivors: Koram Centre, Derry Well Women, WAVE, Institute for Counselling & Personal Development and South East Fermanagh Foundation.

For further information contact

Ray Mullan (CRC), tel 028 90 227500

email: rmullan@nicrc.org.uk

Notes for Editor:

The main issues facing Carers, as Carers themselves perceive, were:

The general lack of comprehension or understanding of the impact that results from a loved one becoming a Victim of the Troubles.
Physical issues associated with injury and/or disability of those cared for, and/or having to relocate home.
Financial – the Victim was often identified as the main breadwinner with this source of income now gone. In others, Carers found themselves having to give up paid employment to provide care and support.
Dealing with the psychological impact of trauma, not just the effects of trauma on the Victim but also on Carers and other family members.
Emotional issues whereby the pressures and anxieties created by the trauma causes relationships to become strained, tempers fray and “snap” and Carers who are parents find they are not able to devote the same time or attention to other children.

110 cases took part in the research with additional consultations with 21 Representatives of Victim support groups and the statutory sector.

Burn out levels were measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (1996), an established means of identifying burn out levels characterised by Emotional Exhaustion Depersonalisation and Personal Accomplishment.

The research was carried out by QE5 Ltd and HRS Consultant with twelve Victim support groups across Northern Ireland. Participating in the study were:

Ashton Community Trust, CALMS, CUNAMH, The Ely Centre, FAIR, HAVEN, HURT, Omagh Support & Self Help Group, Relatives for Justice, Regimental Association of the UDR (Coleraine Branch), South East Fermanagh Foundation and West Tyrone Voice.