SETU Carlow premieres powerful video about family carers
Through the video, the audience is introduced to the stories of three family carers; Leona, Michael, and Sheila, who each have unique experiences of caring for loved ones.
Leona and her husband Anthony care for their children Alex and Emma. Leona said: 'They are amazing and teach me so much every day.'
Michael cared for his father for 12 years, until his father's passing at the age of 91. Speaking about their special connection, Michael said: 'People admired our relationship, we were more like brothers than father and son.'
Referring to his experience as a family carer, he added that 'when the time has passed, and you're looking back, it was a privilege to do it'.
Sheila cares for her teenage son, Conan. 'He's an amazing boy, a joy to be with,' she said. 'He is thriving in every sense. Caring for Conan has been so rewarding. I would do it all over again, and I'll keep doing it.'
The purpose of the video, and the wider aim of the project, is to highlight the crucial, and often invisible, role of the family carer. Through the lived experiences of the carers featured in the piece, SETU and FCI aim to raise awareness of the important role family carers play in Irish society, and to continue to drive practical action to expand carers' access to higher education.
'Family carers have incredible resilience and a wealth of lived experience that should be valued and supported in inclusive learning environments,' said Nicola McEntee, SETU Project Coordinator.
"Carers face significant barriers to participating in higher education due to the demands of their caring roles. We believe they deserve flexible and accessible routes into higher education, and that is what the project has strived to provide over the last few years.
'With today's video launch, we wanted to offer people a glimpse into the real-life experiences of carers; to show the immense work they do to care for their loved ones, and the huge benefit this is to our society. We also want to show the empowering experience they have each had through getting involved in our courses and the positive outlet this has provided them.'
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, said: 'I'm delighted to be here today to witness this moving video about the great work of our collaborative project with SETU.
"This project marked the first time Family Carers Ireland has partnered with a university, and the impact has been remarkable. These courses, tailored to the needs of carers, have offered a vital educational pathway to family carers, and has helped participants to build confidence and self-worth as individuals.'
SETU's Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning has a longstanding history of creating inclusive educational pathways to groups of learners who may need additional or alternative supports. The faculty has provided access to education to those who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to engage at third level.
Groups such as family carers, part-time and mature students, members of the deaf community, the Traveller Community, and those who are in recovery from addiction, have completed courses from certificate to bachelors and master's levels through SETU.
With over 500,000 carers in Ireland, National Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate these carers and their inspirational stories.
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