Over 12,000 carers in Clare to benefit from new charity partnership with Lidl
Lidl launches new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland to support ‘heart of gold’ employees
Lidl Ireland today announced a new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting around half a million family carers across the country.
According to Family Carers Ireland, there are over 500,000 family carers across the country, with an estimated 12,000 in Clare, but many others who are in a carer role are slipping through the net as they do not self-identify, seeing themselves only as a mum, dad, brother, sister or grandparent, but they are also a family carer.
With a pledge to raise €1 million over the next three years, funds raised by Lidl colleagues and customers will support the vital work of Family Carers Ireland who provide free supports and services such as of emergency care planning, counselling, emergency respite and respite provision, advocacy, peer support groups and information on rights and entitlements.
“Earlier this year, we released our State of Caring Report for 2024 which highlighted some of the difficulties facing carers – from practical issues such as the escalating housing crisis and financial issues compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, to carer wellbeing challenges including severe loneliness which is currently experienced by nearly half of all family carers," Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland, said.
"Despite current systemic inadequacies, carers make extraordinary contributions to the wellbeing of the individuals they care for and to the fabric of society and this partnership with Lidl Ireland will play a crucial role in bringing about significant and positive change in Irish society, ensuring family carers are properly recognised, supported and empowered and helping us to ensure that no one has to care alone.”
Through the new partnership, Lidl will support Family Carers Ireland’s work to encourage family carers to self-identify and connect with the charity with the message ‘we see you.’
“We know from Family Carers Ireland’s work, and from research with our own employees, that there is an unmet need in identifying and supporting people who are in carer roles, but slipping through the net,"Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said.
"Caring for a family member or loved one can have a huge impact on the caregiver’s life and, as a family retailer committed to supporting customers at every life stage, this new charity partnership will enable us to better support our valued customers, colleagues and the wider public."
"With a network of more than 180 stores across the country, and almost 2 million weekly shoppers, Lidl is uniquely positioned to support Family Carers Ireland in growing awareness of its services and connecting with caregivers at a local level," Maeve continued.
Lidl’s new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland builds upon the retailer’s existing relationship with the charity which last year saw the introduction of its new ‘Caring Employers’ programme in association with Family Carers Ireland which provides tailored support and resources for Lidl’s own colleagues who are balancing work and caring commitments.
This includes tailored activities and policy guidance to ensure that Lidl employees, who are in caring roles at home, are recognised, supported and accommodated in their careers.
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