Written statement (Wales) on The Ministerial Advisory Group for Unpaid Carers - Aug 26

Delyth Jewell MS, Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health: I am pleased to announce the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group for Unpaid Carers. Improved recognition and support for unpaid carers, of all ages, is a priority for this government. Unpaid carers provide vital support for our citizens, and the Ministerial Advisory Group will help drive our improvement agenda by providing insight, ideas and lived experience. It will also provide challenge and oversight of our work and provide a forum for collaborative working.

Membership of the group will include unpaid carers and carer organisations alongside leaders from local authorities, health boards and a range of other agencies of relevance to unpaid carers. 

I have appointed Kate Cubbage, Director of Carers Trust Wales, as Chair of the Advisory Group and Anna Bird, Assistant Director of Business, Partnerships and Inclusion, Hywel Dda University Health Board, to the post of Deputy Chair. Kate and Anna bring extensive experience of partnership working, and detailed knowledge of unpaid carers' issues at regional and national levels. Kate is a strong advocate for unpaid carers in her role within Carers Trust Wales and Anna has a deep understanding of carers' services within the statutory sector.

I will be working with the Chair and Deputy Chair to establish the full membership and will ensure strong representation from adult and young carers, in addition to representatives from those organisations that can contribute most to progressing our improvement agenda. 

This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.