Calling all unpaid carers in West Wales

If you regularly care for a relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help and you don’t get paid for it then you are a Carer. You are still an unpaid carer if you receive Carers’ Allowance.

Unpaid carers of all ages in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will soon have access to a new regional website to help support them in their caring role. The website’s official launch will coincide with Carer’s Rights Day, Thursday 24 November 2022.

Acting on behalf of the West Wales Carers Development Group, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) was awarded funding from the Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund to develop a bilingual regional carers online platform. The website will support the provision and accessibility of consistent information, assistance and advice for unpaid carers in the three counties, which unpaid carers told us was important to them in a survey to develop the West Wales Carers
Strategy in 2020.

Judith Hardisty, Hywel Dda University Health Board Vice Chair and Carers Champion who is also Chair of the Regional Partnership Board said:

“I am delighted that the Carers Support West Wales website will provide a bilingual ‘one stop shop’ for unpaid Carers helping them to easily find information to support them in their caring role. The website will include details of local groups and activities, as well as relevant and timely help and support on benefits and financial entitlements. We know that people don’t always recognise themselves as unpaid carers, so won’t be aware of the help and support which is available to support them in their caring role, therefore this new website will be a valuable resource for everyone. The Regional Partnership Board are grateful for the contribution of all our unpaid carers who care for family and friends in their own communities and are committed to ensuring that the needs of unpaid carers are addressed.”

The website, Carers Support West Wales (CSWW), is a one stop shop for carer specific information and has been co-produced with unpaid carers in the region.

CSWW has been developed to complement existing websites and provisions. The website offers a quick and easy way to find carer specific information for the three counties.

Carers Support West Wales is divided into three distinct sections, allowing carers to easily navigate the platform and explore information locally and regionally.

On the ‘My Community’ section, carers will find local offers, promotions and discounts that can support them in their caring role in their community. An interactive map provides a quick visualisation of any activities close by as well as the relevant contact details.

The ‘Support’ section provides support that is felt could benefit them as a carer such as how to register as an unpaid carer with your GP and how to register for a Carers Recognition Card. Using a filter system to navigate this, carers will be able to search a number of local and national organisations to find the information they need.

The ’News’ section shares essential information that is timely and relevant, from a list of support with cost of living crisis to Carers magazines providing local and national information that may be useful to carers and professionals.

The website design, branding and content has been developed through coproduction and engagement with unpaid carers and providers throughout the region.

For more information, please visit carerssupportwestwales.org or contact info@carerssupportwestwales.org.

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Instagram @carerssupportww | #caringforcarers | #gofaluamofalwyr