In 2023/24, we ran an IMPACT Network on social care in rural areas. Delivering adult social care in rural areas is challenging due to barriers such as physically accessing services; staff recruitment and retention; limited choice and higher costs. Despite the evidence suggesting the existence of a strong sense of community in rural settings, loneliness is a common problem that needs to be addressed.
The Network started with an evidence review by Dr Victoria Rivera-Ugarte, IMPACT Project Officer for Wales, identifying why social care is different and challenging in rural areas. Network members got together to discuss this evidence, as well as case studies where organisations have tried to tackle some of the challenges.
Carers NI co-ordinated one of the local Networks, and focused on the perspective of unpaid carers. With more than a third of the population of Northern Ireland living in rural areas, and 1 in 3 carers in Northern Ireland live in non-urban areas, this was particularly important.
At the end of the Network, some of the people involved produced this video to explore the challenges faced by carers and improvements that would support them going forward. The video is a conversation starter, aimed at engaging other stakeholders in making longer-term changes to improve the lives of carers and those receiving care.