Additional £50,000 announced to support unpaid carers mental health during pandemic

The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care, Julie Morgan marks the start of National Carers Week by announcing an additional £50,000 funding to Carers Wales. (June 8^th- June 14^th).

The new funding will provide more unpaid carers with professional and peer support to help them manage their mental health.

Paying tribute to unpaid carers, the Deputy Minister said: “I would like to give my thanks and admiration to all the unpaid carers in Wales. The past few months have been a very challenging time for many carers. This pandemic shows how critical their care is and now more than ever it’s essential to recognise the value of unpaid carers. I’m delighted to announce additional funding today to support carers of all ages to manage the stress of their caring role.

To celebrate National Carers Week the Deputy Minster will also join the First Minister Mark Drakeford on Tuesday for a ‘virtual cuppa’ with carers to learn more about their experiences during the pandemic.

Claire Morgan, Director of Carers Wales and Chair of Wales Carers Alliance said:

‘Carers Week is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of unpaid carers, highlight the challenges they face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. Carers Wales is delighted to have received extra funding from Welsh Government to expand our psychological and emotional support for unpaid carers. We have become increasingly concerned about the mental health and emotional resilience of carers since the start of the

New guidance has also been published for unpaid carers which provides practical advice on planning for alternative care arrangements should they be needed, as well as resources for maintaining good mental health and well-being. We will also be publishing new guidance on the provision of PPE to unpaid carers.