Across Wales, between 310,000 and 500,000 people provide unpaid care and support to family, friends and neighbours. The contribution of unpaid carers is significant; with the care they provide estimated to be worth more than £10 billion a year if it had to be replaced.
Yet for many carers, finding and accessing the right support can be difficult. Research from Carers Wales found that 60% of carers feel overwhelmed by their caring role, while more than one in three carers report having bad or very bad mental health. Of those who had tried to access social care support, 63% experienced long waiting times and 57% said services weren’t available when they needed them.
Sometimes, even knowing who to contact or what support is available can be a barrier.
For unpaid carers, having someone to listen, understand their circumstances and help them navigate the support available can make a huge difference.
Here at Adferiad, we put the rights of carers at the forefront of all that we do, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs at met. One of services is Monmouthshire Carers and Family Support, and we’ve spoke to two members of the team to find out more about the support they provide to unpaid carers across Monmouthshire, some of the barrier’s carers can face, and what happens when someone takes that first step and reaches out.
Questions & Answers
Could you introduce yourselves and tell us a little about your role within the Carers Service?
We are Leigh Coburn and Eleri Price. We work as part of Adferiad Monmouthshire Carers and Family Support Service. We support unpaid carers caring for someone with a mental health need and cover the whole of Monmouthshire County
What support do you provide and who can access it?
All our support is person-centred and tailored to the individual carer’s needs and goals. This can include advice and information about mental health conditions and carers’ rights, support to access a Carers Needs Assessment through Monmouthshire County Council, advocacy, emotional support, training and respite.
We also run carers’ groups in Undy Village Hall and The Wellbeing and Information Centre in Abergavenny, providing opportunities for peer support, wellbeing activities and respite. The sessions are shaped by feedback from carers, so their voices help influence what we provide.
What are some of the barriers that can prevent carers from accessing support?
There can be lots of different barriers. Some people may not identify themselves as a Carer, while others may find it difficult to navigate services or know where to find the right support.
Carers can also be exhausted, experiencing burnout or simply have very little time for themselves because of their caring responsibilities. Some may feel unsure about what to expect or worry that their voice won’t be heard.
What would you say to someone who is unsure whether they’re a carer or whether they can access support?
Please just reach out and contact us. We’re more than happy to chat things through. If we can help, we will. If we think another service is more appropriate, we will signpost you and help you navigate the system. So please just reach out and have a chat!
What can someone expect when they first contact the service?
Once we receive a referral, we’ll contact the carer by phone or email to acknowledge the referral and explain who we are and the support we can offer. We’ll then arrange a face-to-face meeting where we can have a deeper conversation about their circumstances, needs and what support might be helpful.
What if a carer is already overwhelmed or doesn’t have much time to engage?
We understand that carers are busy, physically and emotionally exhausted, and can feel overwhelmed. Our support is flexible in terms of how, when, where and how often it is provided, so we can work around what suits the individual.
And if now isn’t the right time, that’s okay too. Carers can reach out when they feel ready.
Finally, what’s one thing you wish more carers knew about accessing support?
The support is tailored to you and your needs. We are here to listen and support you. We recognise that caring for someone can be isolating and overwhelming, but please know you are not alone and we are here to help.
We are grateful to Eleri and Leigh for all that they do, and for taking the time to share their insights into the challenges carers face. One of Adferiad’s priorities for the Welsh Government, as highlighted in our ‘Towards a Fairer Future Campaign’ is genuine collaboration with unpaid carers and their involvement in the care and treatment planning of the people they care for.
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