What we do
CAUSE is a regional unique peer-led charity which provides practical and emotional support for carers of loved ones with serious mental illness. Our aim is to help carers sustain their challenging role by reducing their isolation and empowering them.
There is no other charity like us in Northern Ireland that provides support services including: one-to-one support and advocacy; training for carers and professionals; a network of carer support groups throughout Northern Ireland; a confidential Helpline for carers; social opportunities where carers can meet other carers; ways to engage with carers in policy and service development as well as specialist services for carers with loved ones in the justice system and carers of a loved one with personality disorder.
Caring for someone close to you experiencing serious mental illness is distressing. Families, partners and friends can find it difficult to talk about their experience of serious mental illness whether self-harming, seeing a loved being sectioned or just so out of reach from them due to their illness, they just don’t know what to do.
CAUSE more than ever relies heavily on the generosity of local people and the support of our volunteers who help staff in many ways, from operations to fundraising.
Gifts in Wills
Mental illness is higher in Northern Ireland than elsewhere in the UK.
Over the last decade, the 2011 NI Census shows that the number of carers in NI has increased from 185,000 to 215, 000. (Source: Carers NI), 7% of whom look after someone with a mental health problem. This equates to approximately 17,500 known local people caring for a family member or friend with a mental illness and it is a sad fact there are many others unidentified due to the associated stigma.
Carers are a growing group within our society and with this comes the pressures and risks to their mental well-being from the impacts of caring. Services such as the ones provided by CAUSE are needed now more than ever. Demand for CAUSE services has increased markedly over the last few years as the number of carers whom CAUSE has been able to support has risen considerably.
We are a local charity whose funding from the government is being significantly reduced each year. We must fundraise in order to keep our services operating at the levels needed. Therefore we rely heavily on voluntary donations and legacies such as gift in your Will. No matter how big or small the amount, every pound will make a difference. Your legacy will help us to access and support many mental health carers at their time of need some of whom are children and young people.
Contact Us
Name: Anne Holland
Telephone: 028 90650650
Email: anne@cause.org.uk
Website: www.cause.org.uk
Information your solicitor will need:
Registered Address: CAUSE, Lesley Office Park, 393 Holywood Road, Belfast BT4 2LS
Registered Charity Number: NIC103733