Carers information

Who is a carer? 
A carer is someone, of any age, who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Anyone can become a carer, in most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it just happens.

It is important that carers are supported to enable them to continue to provide care for a relative or friend.

Carers do all this and more for family and friends who are older, ill or have a disability, administer medicine, practical support, emotional support, personal care, financial matters, physical help, and all while trying to maintain a life of their own.

Why do we support carers?

The health board recognises the contribution that carers make by supporting the person they care for who could not otherwise manage without their help. Carers play an important role in keeping families and communities together and make an enormous contribution to society. We want to help people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities. Our aim if to help them to identify as unpaid carers and access the support they need to maintain their own health and wellbeing.

While caring can be positive and rewarding, it can also have a negative impact on the physical and emotional well-being of carers. Most carers accept their responsibilities as they wish to assist and support their family and friends. Caring can be lonely; it can exclude people from employment, lead to social isolation, financial hardship and difficulties maintaining a life of their own. Our vision is to ensure that carers are recognised and valued as expert partners in care.