WIREDGOV

A new carers information and outreach service has been launched by the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services Mark Drakeford  

he service will provide support to some of the 370,000 unpaid family carers in Wales who support family and friends who are ill, frail or disabled on an hourly, daily and weekly basis.

Professor Drakeford will open Carmarthenshire Carers Information Service and Carers Outreach Service during Carers Week, which aims to reach out to the thousands of families who are currently missing out on services and support.

They will be run by Crossroads Care Sir Gar – an organisation already synonymous with putting carers first by providing quality local services.

Professor Drakeford said:

“It is great to be able to launch this new service in Llanelli today. Crossroads Sir Gar has a track record of excellent local work supporting unpaid family carers across Carmarthenshire.

“I’m sure this new service will enhance the available information, advice and support available to carers across the county.

“It is vital people are aware that these essential services are available and I would urge family carers across Carmarthenshire to find out what support is available to them locally.”

There are estimated to be more than 370,000 carers in Wales, 90,000 of whom look after family and friends for at least 50 hours a week. Between 70% and 95% of the care provided to people in communities across Wales is given freely by family and friends.

Simon Hatch, Carers Trust director for Wales, said:

“Carers do an amazing role and without them public services in Wales would collapse. There are 90,000 people providing unpaid care for over 50 hours each week across the country, so this new Carmarthenshire service will help to provide some much needed help and support.”