SETU, alongside its partner Family Carers Ireland (FCI), proudly hosted the launch of a powerful and inspiring new video encapsulating the real-life experience of carers across Ireland.
The video was developed under the joint project, ‘Supporting Family Carers across Ireland’, an initiative funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Real-life experience
To kick off National Carers Week 2025, SETU and FCI showcased the moving video at an event at the University’s Carlow campus. The short, documentary-style video brings to life the experiences of three family carers from across the country.
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 says, “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.”
“When the time has passed, and you’re looking back, it was a privilege to do it.”
Michael, family carer from Co. Kerry.
Sheila cares for her teenage son, Conan. She says, “He’s an amazing boy, a joy to be with. 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.”
A crucial, but often invisible role
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.
Nicola McEntee, SETU Project Coordinator said, “Family carers have incredible resilience and a wealth of lived experience that should be valued and supported in inclusive learning environments. 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,”
Nicola McEntee, SETU Project Coordinator.
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.”
Inclusive education pathways
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 not otherwise 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 the 500,000+ carers in Ireland. It takes place from 9 to 15 June 2025.