Northern Trust’s new Carer Support Programme out now
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has unveiled its latest Carer Support Programme featuring a range of classes and activities to help carers look after their own health and wellbeing.
With Carers Week taking place from June 8 – 14 – an annual campaign that recognises the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers – the programme reinforces the Trust’s commitment to ensuring carers feel recognised, supported and valued.
In-person activities include a walking group at Antrim Castle Gardens, peer support ‘carer connections’ in Maghera, Ballyclare, Ballymena, and Bushmills, while a book club, self-care mindfulness and journaling are all held online.
Running until March 2027, the programme has been co-produced with informal, unpaid, family carers. This year, for the first time, carers are co-facilitating or leading some elements of the programme, including gardening and craft classes.
One of the carers involved said: “This is important because it shows not only the value I have got out of the Carer Hub, but also to show that we are more than simply carers. Many of us are talented people and have used these talents in other parts of our lives so why not with Carer Hub?”
Welcoming the new programme, the Trust’s Carer Pathway Steering Group Chair, Sam Bell and Deputy Chair, Virginia Maxwell said: “As carers, we know how important it is to feel heard and understood. This programme has been shaped by the carer members of the Carer Pathway Steering Group who have worked together with the Trust to bring a programme that has variety, feels supportive, practical and made for us.”
The Northern Trust’s Carers Coordinator Claire Campbell said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside carers in developing this programme. Their insight, honesty and lived experience have been central to shaping something that is meaningful and accessible. During Carers Week, and beyond, we want carers to know that they are valued, recognised and not alone. We hope this programme not only provides practical support, but also encourages carers to take time for their own health and wellbeing.”
Later this year, to coincide with Carers Rights Day, the Trust plans to launch its updated Carer Strategy (2026-2031). The consultation period on the new draft strategy has been extended until Tues 30 June, and all unpaid carers, families, Trust staff and community and voluntary sector partners are invited to share their views on it.
The aim of the strategy is to ensure that carers receive improved, coordinated support from the Trust, enabling a smoother caring journey – one where they feel valued, heard, and confident in the services the Trust provides.
The draft strategy has been developed based on feedback following a range of engagement events with carers and staff and the Trust has now set out nine strategic priorities which cut across six themes:
- carer health and advocacy
- identification
- information
- communication
- navigation
- transitions
You can find out more, and share your feedback, by visiting www.northerntrust.hscni.net/draftcarerstrategy
If you would like to contact the Northern Trust Carer Hub, call 028 2766 1210 or email carer.hub@northerntrust.hscni.net (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Pictured above, members of the carers walking group pictured at Antrim Castle Gardens with Claire Campbell and Louise Feeney from the Northern Trust’s Carer Hub.
8th June 2026
