The Dementia Carers Campaign Network (DCCN), which is supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), hosted an event to empower carer advocates in Dublin to mark Carers Week 2019. In recognition of the importance of working together, during Carers Week, representatives and carer advocates from partner organisations were also invited to attend. The aim of the event was to bring together family carers, to empower them to be a strong voice for carers. To give people the skills, confidence and knowledge to lobby, campaign and highlight the issues and challenges facing family carers.
Speakers included the coordinator of Carers Week, Kevin Deegan; The Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO, Pat McLoughlin; and CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, Averil Power. Carers also heard from journalist and author Teena Gates, who spoke of her recent successful campaign for a home care package to bring her 94-year-old dad, Terry, home from hospital. The final speaker, Jillian Garvey, senior manager with Carr Communications, was followed by focus groups discussing the value of the carer voice, and opportunities to work together. The information from these focus groups will be shared with the 12 partner organisations that support Carers Week. It is hoped that this will inform how The DCCN and ASI engage with carer advocates and how best they can amplify the carer voice and their key messages.
