There are over 220,000 people providing unpaid carer for sick or disabled family members or friends in Northern Ireland – representing around 1 in 8 adults.

For some, their caring role may be for a few hours per week, but for many it is much more and often involves caring around the clock.

Unpaid carers play a pivotal role in the wellbeing of the person they care for and provide savings of £5.8 billion to our Health and Social Care system every year. In return, far too many are living lives defined by burnout and ill-health, poverty, stifled education and employment opportunities, a lack of support and uncertain futures. They need a holistic, cross-departmental approach to address these challenges and ensure they enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else in society.

Carers NI worked with unpaid carers and other expert stakeholders to co-produce this Carers’ Rights Charter. It outlines the rights which should be afforded to all unpaid carers in Northern Ireland.