Unpaid Carers need care and support

Sylvia Penny, the Youth & Care Officer & Helpline coordinator for WAMES, is also an unpaid carer for her 2 adult children. One has severe ME and one has autism.

She spoke to ITV News at 6 about how difficult it is to find the financial and practical support she needs and that this has taken a toll on her health.

“You have to care for yourself, if you wish to care for others.”

Rob Simkins from Carers Wales explains that added costs and reduced income, being slow to realise you need help, plus a shortage of the right help for each family, can lead to crisis.

“Unpaid cares save the Welsh Government over £10 billion”

He wants to see Welsh Government and Councils make unpaid carers a priority and proactively seek them out to provide care.

“Unpaid carers are just as vital as our health and social care services.”

He urges people to reach out as there is some help available across Wales.

    Watch the news item [7 mins]