The UCC staff carers network is UCC's fifth staff network. Launched on 17 October 2024 its aim is to support staff who balance Professional and Academic roles with caring responsibilities. Joining our LGBT+, Mná, Race Equality, and Disability and Neurodivergence networks, we're here for you.
Our staff surveys show two-thirds of colleagues have caring responsibilities, with 20% providing non-parental care like elder care or supporting relatives with disabilities.
Guided by UCC's values of CAIRDEAS (friendship), we believe carers shouldn't care alone. Our network provides community support and works to make UCC a more caring space for everyone.
At UCC, academic and professional staff encounter numerous demanding situations. In addition to their duties on and off campus, they are often responsible for caring for individuals at home with complex medical needs, including:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Hearing Loss
- Intellectual Disability
- Language and Speech Disorders
- Vision Loss
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Mobility Disabilities
- Chronic illness
- Parents/Siblings of kids with complex needs
- Parents/Siblings of adults with complex needs
- Children of adults with complex needs
- Any may more complex medical needs.
Pillars of the group
Space – Creating a space for Care givers within the UCC population both staff and students.
Support - Provide the opportunity for carers to come together, share their experiences and knowledge and learn from one another in a safe, non-judgemental, peer-led setting.
Knowledge – Provide knowledge to people or tools that they can use .
Advocacy/ Signposting – Point people in UCC to identify a local issue they wish to come together to address.