CAUSE Carers

10/10/2026

This year’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”

At CAUSE, we know that listening isn't just about hearing what someone has to say.

It’s about believing them.

It’s about making space for the things that are difficult to say.

It’s about recognising that caring can be rewarding, exhausting, frightening, frustrating, loving and overwhelming, sometimes all at once.

It’s about making sure carers don't disappear behind the person they support.

💚 Your experience matters.
💚Your voice matters.
💚Your mental health matters.

At CAUSE, we’re here to listen, support and advocate alongside mental health carers across Northern Ireland.

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

Looking for an exciting charity partnership?💚

CAUSE is looking to build a new corporate partnership with a business that wants to make a meaningful difference to mental health carers across Northern Ireland, while creating something valuable for your own team too.

We believe the best partnerships work both ways. Alongside fundraising and awareness opportunities, CAUSE can offer training and opportunities to help your staff better understand mental health, caring and the experiences of families supporting someone with mental health difficulties.

From staff fundraising and volunteering to workplace challenges, awareness sessions and training, we can work with you to create a partnership that fits your business and makes a genuine impact.

If your business is looking for a charity partner for 2026/27, we’d love to start a conversation. 💚

📩 Get in touch with [email protected] to find out more.

Let’s work together to support the people behind the people who need care.

23/09/2026

Yesterday our CEO, Emma O'Neill, had the privilege of speaking at Stormont at the launch of ‘A Shared Responsibility’, the All Party Group on Su***de Prevention’s Inquiry into cross departmental funding for su***de prevention.

The message from the day was clear- su***de prevention cannot sit with Health alone!
Poverty, housing, education, employment, trauma, financial vulnerability and social isolation all have an impact and, as Emma said during her speech, “we have to share responsibility for the solution.”

For CAUSE , it was important to bring the voice of families and carers into that conversation. Behind someone experiencing mental ill health there is so often a family member or carer beside them. Advocating, worrying, navigating services and holding things together, often for a very long time!

Emma reflected afterwards: “It was a real privilege to be part of yesterday’s discussion and to see lived experience so firmly at the heart of it. For me, the challenge now is making sure shared responsibility becomes shared action and that families and carers are part of that.”

Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this important Inquiry forward.

***dePrevention

23/09/2026

💚 Help shape the future of support for young carers 💚

A research project with Queen’s University Belfast is exploring how support for young carers can be improved across Northern Ireland.

They’re looking for:

✅ Adults who are currently, or have previously been, supported by Adult Mental Health Services within the Southern Trust

✅ Young carers aged 16–25 who support, or have supported, a parent experiencing mental health difficulties

By sharing your experiences and perspectives, you can help inform future research, influence services and make a positive difference for young carers and families.

📅 Expressions of interest close 30 September 2026

For more information or to find out how to take part, please see the posters or contact [email protected].

Please share this with anyone who might be interested 💚

21/09/2026

With the colder months approaching, we’re sharing information about Northern Ireland’s £100 home heating oil voucher for households who may be eligible.

If you or someone you support uses heating oil as their main heating source, it’s worth checking the eligibility criteria and applying if you qualify.

📌 Applications are now open. See the full information in the graphic and visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-online-home-heating-oil-support for details.

Please share this with a carer, family member or friend who may find it useful 💚

19/09/2026

💚 Work Well Live Well 💚

We’re delighted to share that our Carer Advocates Deborah and Ruth have completed their Health Champion training as part of the Work Well Live Well programme with Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.

The programme supports workplaces to improve employee health, wellbeing and culture, giving Health Champions the knowledge and tools to help create a healthier workplace.

We’re looking forward to putting what Deborah and Ruth have learned into practice here at CAUSE and finding new ways to support the wellbeing of our team 🌱💚

A huge well done to Deborah and Ruth! 👏

16/09/2026

Feeling overwhelmed by mental health services in Northern Ireland? You’re not alone 💚

Knowing where to start, who to contact and what your rights are can feel like a lot to navigate.

Our 5-step guide is here to help you understand the system and feel a little more confident advocating for yourself or someone you support.

📌 Save this post for when you need it, and share it with someone who might find it useful.

Remember you don’t have to navigate it alone 💚

15/09/2026

💚 A huge thank you to the wonderful ladies at Ballyholme Bowling Club! 💚

Our CEO, Emma O’Neill, had a fantastic afternoon joining the ladies on the green in Bangor, where CAUSE was presented with an incredible cheque for £1,651, raised throughout their 2026 bowling season.

Emma even got the chance to try her hand at bowls, although we’re not sure she’ll be joining the team just yet! 😊

It was also a lovely opportunity to spend time with the ladies over tea and biscuits and talk about the work CAUSE does across Northern Ireland, supporting carers and families who are caring for someone with a serious and complex mental illness.

Community fundraising like this makes such a difference to CAUSE. As well as raising vital funds, it gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of carers, talk about the support available and help ensure families know they don’t have to navigate their caring journey alone.

A heartfelt thank you to President Barbara Chard, the ladies’ team and everyone at Ballyholme Bowling Club who contributed to this fantastic £1,651 total and gave Emma such a warm welcome 💚

What an amazing achievement — thank you for supporting CAUSE! 👏

14/09/2026

📢 We’re still looking for the newest member of the CAUSE team! 💚

We're really hoping our CAUSE community can help us spread the word. The person we're looking for could be someone you already know!

We’re recruiting for a Business Support Officer to join our small, friendly regional team and help keep CAUSE running smoothly behind the scenes.

This is a full-time, permanent role (35 hours), primarily based in our Belfast office, with a salary of £25,000 per year.

We’re looking for someone who is organised, proactive and confident with administration, IT and systems, with an eye for detail and an interest in supporting a busy team.

💚 Could this be you?
💚 Know someone who would be a great fit?
💚 Please share this post with your network!

📄 Find the full job description, criteria and application details on CommunityNI:
https://www.communityni.org/job/cause-business-support-officer-35-hrs-week?fbclid=IwY2xjawUUuvZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUJKeHBCMmh5NFBsRVNpRklzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezoWt-K4XpHac3Fnnw0wSXMUecBtk3ZXrYFshyQvlMxow_0ajChLodFhzFZw_aem_hDO4bKbkBcDOYITp7wU5tg

Closing date: FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2026