Carers from across the South Eastern Trust area enjoyed a special celebration morning at Bangor Castle recently, hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council as part of Carers Week 2026.
The event recognised the invaluable contribution Carers make every day in supporting family members, friends and loved ones. It also provided an opportunity for Carers to take a well-deserved break from their caring responsibilities, meet up with others in similar situations and enjoy a range of activities designed to promote wellbeing.
The theme for Carers Week 2026 is ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’. Carers Week is an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid Carers face and recognise the vital contribution they make to families and communities. The campaign also helps people who may not identify themselves as Carers to access support and information available to them.
During the morning, Carers heard a fascinating presentation from Ards and North Down Borough Council representatives on the Borough’s rich maritime heritage and also took part in a relaxing Chair Yoga session.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Councillor Craig Blaney, thanked Carers for their dedication and commitment,
Local Carer, Keith Ashe, who attended the event, said, “I really enjoyed the celebration. Events like these help me get out of the house and give me a break from my caring duties. They help you refresh yourself and completely unwind.
“It is very important that we recognise the role of Carers. We help take pressure off Health and Social Care Services and we are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether it is supporting someone at home, attending appointments or responding when something goes wrong, Carers play a really important role.”
Walter Rodgers, who cares for his wife, welcomed the opportunity to celebrate Carers and connect with others, “I enjoy getting out of the house and meeting other people. Sometimes caring can feel quite lonely and it is difficult to do every day.
“It is brilliant to come along to this event. I enjoyed the speakers as I like history and found the presentation on maritime heritage very interesting.”
South Eastern Trust, Carers Support Service, Social Work Assistant, Sarah Devlin, highlighted the importance of Carers Week and events such as the Bangor Castle celebration, “Carers Week is an annual campaign which calls on individuals and organisations to take action to ensure communities understand, recognise and support unpaid Carers.
“For us, this event is about providing Carers with some short-term respite where they can take time for themselves, enjoy activities and connect with other Carers who understand their experiences.
“It also helps reduce feelings of social isolation and gives Carers an opportunity to access support, information and peer connections. Most importantly, it brings some enjoyment into their lives and allows them to take a break from their caring responsibilities, even if only for a short time.”
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney, thanked Carers for their dedication and added, “It is really important for me to host this event and to meet with Carers. They give so much of their time, effort and energy in supporting family members and friends across our Borough.
“This event is about giving Carers a well-deserved break, introducing them to others who understand their experiences and providing an opportunity to share both the joys and challenges that come with caring.
“Carers are often unsung heroes and we need to shine a light on the incredible work they do. Caring can sometimes feel isolating, so events like this are important in helping people realise they are not alone. We are extremely grateful, as a society, and as a Council, for everything Carers do.”
For further information, contact the South Eastern Trust Carer Support Service, telephone (028) 4372 1807 or email carer.support@setrust.hscni.net