Lidl Ireland today announced a new charity partnership with Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting half a million carers around the country.
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.
The funds will help the organisation, which provides free supports and services, such as emergency care planning, counselling, emergency respite and respite provision, advocacy, peer support groups, and information on rights and entitlements.
According to Family Carers Ireland, there are over 500,000 family carers across the country, but many others who are in a carer role slip through the cracks because they don’t self-identify.
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.’
Research
Research carried out by Lidl within its workforce found that two in five (38%) of its employees are currently in a caring role.
Some 84% of those surveyed in caring roles are under the age of 44.
Self-identifying is a significant challenge for Lidl employees who are carers, as a third (unprompted) identified themselves as carers, while a further 10% said that they met the criteria only after being offered a definition.
Some 78% of those surveyed said that they knew someone among their family and friends classified as a carer.
‘Unmet Need’
Maeve McCleane, chief people officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said, “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.
“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 commitment to raise €1 million for the charity over the next three years, our support will extend far beyond fundraising.
“Through our partnership, we will aim to raise awareness as to what it means to be a carer, champion the carer’s voice, both through our stores and network of employees across the country, and educate all on the challenges facing carers today, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the hundreds of thousands of family carers across the country.”
‘Significant And Positive Change’
The head of communications and policy at Family Carers Ireland, Catherine Cox, added, “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 well-being challenges, including severe loneliness, which is currently experienced by nearly half of all family carers.
“Despite the current systemic inadequacies, carers make extraordinary contributions to the well-being 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.”
Gina Daly commented on her role as a carer, saying, “Caring can be both extremely rewarding and overwhelming. It brings moments of joy and connection, as well as times of solitude and strain.
“There’s a particular kind of responsibility that goes with knowing someone depends on you fully, particularly your own child, and it’s easy to feel the weight of it, especially when you try to balance care for them as well as care for yourself.
“That’s why support networks and resources, like those provided by Family Carers Ireland, are so essential.
“They remind us that we’re not alone in this journey and offer the tools we need to navigate the many aspects of caring.”
Lidl’s new partnership builds on the retailer’s existing relationship with Family Carers Ireland.
Last year, the retailer and charity set up Caring Employers, a programme that provides tailored support and resources for Lidl colleagues balancing care and work commitments.
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