Newry and Mourne Carers Association was formed in 1987 following two public meetings, which had been convened by staff from the local social services department. At the meetings it was agreed that carers should be facilitated to identify and express their needs and to have their needs addressed in a way that was acceptable to the carers themselves. A Steering Committee was established in November 1987 and the first staff member was appointed in February 1988. The Association established independent premises in Newry in November 1988 and since then has developed a range of services to carers throughout the Newry and Mourne area..

Newry and Mourne Carers Association is a registered charity and a limited company. It is governed by a Management Board, which comprises carers, professionals and representatives from the local area. Newry and Mourne Carers Association employs 1 full-time and 2 part-time staff. Newry and Mourne Health and Social Services Trust provides core funding with the balance of funding raised from EU initiatives, donations and charitable sources.

Services offered by Newry and Mourne Carers Association include:-

• Training programmes for carers
• Advice, information and support to individual carers
• Young Carers Project
• Social outings and respite breaks for carers
• Representation of carers' issues to key decision makers
• Signposting carers to appropriate community services