On Carers Rights day today, the Minister for Children and Social
Care officially opened a new hub that will help more unpaid
carers claim their rights and access free support.
For nearly 20 years, the Swansea Carers Centre has supported a
range of carers and grown to be one of the largest carers
services in Wales.
With the help of Welsh Government funding, the Centre has moved
to a bigger building and launched a new service – the Carers Hwb.
The Hwb aims to make it easier for carers to access all the
services available to them in one place and attract new carers
who might be unaware of their rights and entitlements, such as
those from ethnic minorities and male carers.
Minister for Children and Social Care, said:
“I am delighted to open the new building and Hwb for the Swansea
Carers Centre today.
“This larger Centre will provide space for more carers to access
high quality support and help the team reach a wide range of
carers.
“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring unpaid carers get
the support they deserve. So, I'm grateful that the Centre
delivers our Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, which
help carers take a break from their caring role and help them buy
essential items.
“Hubs like this are vital in helping carers feel supported and
empowered.
“I want to thank unpaid carers for their tremendous contributions
to our society and the Centre for their dedication to supporting
unpaid carers.”
Alongside counselling services and financial advice, the Hwb will
provide access to short breaks which range from days out, trips
away and help with gym memberships.
Dave Burgess MBE has been a carer to his wife Jan for 55
years.
He first went to the Swansea Carers Centre 20 years ago for
advice on filling out forms for carers benefits – now he's on the
Board of Trustees for the Centre.
Dave said:
“My wife is a fighter. She first broke her neck in an accident
and then had her leg amputated 10 years ago from illness.
“When you become a carer, it changes your life, you don't know
where or who to turn to for help.
“The support I've had from the Centre since first going has been
wide ranging. From professional financial advice to really
supporting me through a rough time mentally with their
counselling services.
“The new Hwb will mean that if you suddenly become a carer like
me, there's now a one stop shop where you come in and get all the
information and guidance you need in one place, right at the
start of your caring journey.
“The Centre gives life to carers outside of their caring role,
and community to carers who may feel alone, and the hwb is going
to make a huge difference to the lives of so many more people.”
Notes to editors
Additional supportive quote:
CEO of Swansea Carers Centre, Ifor Glyn said:
“We appreciate the support from the Welsh Government and other
partners which allow us to engage with more and more unpaid
carers every year.
“Swansea Carers Centre recognises that there are many carers that
are not in touch with services, and we would invite them to come
forward and get the help and support they deserve.
“Life for many carers is often stressful and demanding and we
must ensure that we extend our services to all carers in our
society. Unpaid carers provide invaluable support to our health
and social care services.”
