Ritchie launches ‘Me Unltd’

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited Enniskillen to officially launch the Community Interest Company, ‘Me Unltd’.

Me Unltd inspires women carers, carers of children with learning disabilities, carers of sick and/or elderly relatives, young carers and anyone anywhere in a caring role, to create a fulfilling life for themselves.

They offer a range of unique personal development programmes which provide the practical resources and support necessary to help women carers realise their true potential. The programmes include:

• Developing confidence;
• Coping mechanisms; and
• Building self-esteem.

Margaret Ritchie said: “Me Unltd will play a key role in tackling the social exclusion of women carers by providing them with practical support. This is great news for women carers throughout Northern Ireland.

“Alongside making help available, I want to promote the values of self reliance and social responsibility. Me Unltd are a great example of an organisation that can help do this and promote positive change in the lives of many deserving women.”

Notes to editors:

1. The idea for ‘Me Unltd.’ grew from an initiative by learning disability charity Positive Futures. The charity’s Lakeland Families Service supports children and young people with a learning disability and their families. Working with Lisnakea company Green Hat, with support from the Training for Women’s Network, Positive Futures developed the ‘It’s All about Me Programme’ for 15 women carers in Fermanagh. Normally full-time carers do not have the time to think about ‘me time’, but this programme changed that and from this start the idea for ‘Me Unltd’ emerged.
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