14/10/22

Unpaid carersin Cardiff have given their views on what matters to them and in response, Cardiff Council in partnership with other organisations are undertaking a range of improvementsto the support available to them. This is to includethe implementation of two new charters which will be recommended for approval by Cardiff Council's Cabinet when it meets next Thursday, 20^thOctober.

The Cardiff & Vale Unpaid Carers Charter and Young Unpaid Carers Charter set out a clear direction for the planning and development of support to all unpaid carers across the region over the next five years.

An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction cannot live independently in the community without their support.

Strengthening the work already underway, the Charters will aim toimprove support for unpaid carers, explore and identify new ways of working and increase accessibility to information, advice, and assistance for unpaid carers. Two visions have been set out to underpin the Charters:

Unpaid Carer Vision- To identify and recognise unpaid carers for the vital contribution they make to the community and the people they care for, and in doing so enable unpaid carers to have a life alongside caring.

Young Unpaid Carer Vision- Young unpaid carers are really important to us, to the communities where they live and to the people they care for.  We want to know if you care for someone, so that we can help you and the person you care for, and make sure you have time to do things for yourself.

Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adult),Cllr Norma Mackie said: "Unpaid Carers make a significant contribution to our communities by providing care and support to relatives, families, friends and neighbours and improving the quality of life of the people they care for.

"This can avoid or reduce the need for more formal care and support which not only helps to deliver sustainable social services and are a considerable benefit to the Welsh economy.

"It is therefore imperative that they are recognised, supported and receive the right level of help so that their caring duties do not have a negative impact on their work, education or home life balance."

Cllr Mackie added, "We have listened to the voice of unpaid carers and through regular discussions with them, work is already underway todelivera range of partnership initiatives to improve services and support their wellbeing.

"If approved, theCharters will complement the commitments set out in the Council's Ageing Well Strategy and the Children's Services Directorate Plan as well ashelping to realise Cardiff's ambition of becoming aUK Committee for UNICEFChild Friendly City and agreat place to grow up. We want to ensure that our young carers receive additional help and support so that they don't miss out on opportunities to learn, play and have fun."