Over 40 Carers took part in Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Carers Rights Day at Ty Newydd Country Hotel, Hirwaun, Aberdare on Friday 4 December.
The special event aimed to recognise the work of carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf and inform carers of the benefits, support and services available to them in the County Borough, with a specific focus on carers’ rights around income and pensions.
The new Carers Strategy was also officially launched at the event by Councillor Mike Forey and has been created in partnership with Carers, Cwm Taf Local Health Board, Job Centre Plus, Department of Work and Pensions, Voluntary Sector organisations and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
The Strategy aims to build on the previous strategy and improve the health and well being of carers and the people they care for who live in the County Borough. The various partners that were involved in the strategy provided information on the day about the changes already achieved thanks to the new strategy and discussed the plans that are now in place to improve the lives of carers and those they care for over the next five years.
Councillor Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, said: “I was very pleased to launch the Carers Strategy, which outlines the plans that are now in place to improve the lives of carers and those they care for over the next five years throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“It is important that we recognise and support all the work carried out by carers in the County Borough, not just once a year on National Carers Rights Day but every day. The Council’s Carers Support Project offers support, assistance and advice all year round to carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf.”
Nearly three quarters of carers are worse off financially as a result of caring and each year in the UK some £740m of carers benefits go unclaimed.
Neil Elliott, Service Director for Community Services, added: “I am pleased to say, that once again the event has been well attended and it continues to get better every year. Carers provide unpaid help and look after family, partners or friends in need of assistance. Many carers simply do not realise that they are carers and are entitled to financial help, or struggle to understand poorly explained information and complex forms. We are here to help make sure carers know their rights and are getting the support and benefits they deserve.”
Attendees on the day were also able to get the latest information about welfare benefits, as well as the opportunity to take a well-earned respite. The Rhondda Cynon Taf Welfare Rights Advisers were also on hand to give advice on an individual basis.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Carers Support Project has been supporting local carers, for the last 11 years and offers:
- A Freephone CarersLine
- A free Carers Counselling service
- A free A – Z Carers Guide
- A regular free newsletter
- Information sessions
- Workshops, pamper days and other events
Just getting the right information can make a huge difference to carers’ lives – so if you missed the event and want to find out more, contact the Carers Support Project on Freephone CarersLine 0808 100 1801 or email [email protected].
