More than a third of unpaid carers in Northern Ireland live in a rural area. Due to their location carers in these areas face unique challenges in terms of accessing social care for the person they care for and support to look after their own health and wellbeing.

In 2024 Carers NI co-ordinated a local IMPACT Network to examine social care in rural areas from the perspective of unpaid carers. This report summarises the discussions held during the Network.

Social care provision and support for unpaid carers in rural communities is failing many carers and those they care for. Carers are being placed under relentless pressure filling in the gaps in service provision without adequate support or breaks. This is often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing.

It is essential that robust, quality, reliable social care provision is delivered in our rural areas and that unpaid carers, in these areas, are proactively identified and offered support.

The reform of adult social care is being taken forward within the Social Care Collaborative Forum and it is important that the Forum considers the needs and particular issues of unpaid carers and those they care for in rural communities. We hope this work will inform that process.

Some members of the Network have also prepared a short film showing their experiences of living and caring in a rural area in Northern Ireland.