New facility opens in boost to Swansea Bay's unpaid carers
PICTURED: (From left) Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden; Ifor Glyn, Chief Executive Office of Swansea Carers Centre; Kate Cubbage, CEO Carers Trust Wales and Swansea Carers Centre Trustee Dave Burgess MBE.
We have dedicated our theme for November to Carers, where we will raise awareness of the important role unpaid carers play, and signpost to services.
Unpaid carers are the third pillar of our health and social care system, and we want to highlight their dedication and commitment.
Here, we focus on the launch of a new premises and services that will reach more unpaid carers in the region.
A new building and service has been launched to help unpaid carers throughout Swansea Bay.
Swansea Carers Centre has today (November 21, 2024) officially opened its doors to its new base in the city centre.
The official opening happens on National Carers Rights Day, with the new premises aiming to help more carers throughout the region.
PICTURED: Dawn Bowden and Dave Burgess MBE unveil the plaque.
The centre has also launched a new service - Carers Hwb - which will make it easier for carers to engage with support services available to them throughout Swansea, along with attracting new carers.
An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for someone who is ill, disabled, older, has mental health concerns or is experiencing addiction and is not paid by a company or local authority to do this.
Swansea Carers Centre has been supporting unpaid carers in the city for nearly 20 years and has grown to be one of the largest carer services in Wales. As a result of increasing demand from unpaid carers, the Centre has moved to a larger premises offering greater resources and accessibility to carers.
Swansea Carers Centre provides support and information to carers across Swansea by providing welfare benefit advice; access to grants and special funds; a counselling service; respite care; employment support; have dedicated parent carer, young adult carer, male carer and dementia services along with Mental Health Support Groups.
Ifor Glyn, Chief Executive Office of Swansea Carers Centre, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new larger multi-purpose centre in the city. The last few years has seen a significant demand on unpaid carers, and we want to ensure that we are able to offer the support they need and deserve.
“Many carers don't even recognise themselves as carers. We need to ensure that carers from all backgrounds and cultures receive the help and support they need.
PICTURED: Swansea Carers Centre's new home on Prince Of Wales Road.
“Demands on carers are increasingly difficult as they are facing more and more pressure due to the challenges our health and social care sector are facing.
“We owe it to them to provide support as they are becoming the support service for health and social care in this country.
“We cannot afford to take unpaid carers for granted and owe it to them that they are supported in the valuable work they do.”
The new premises and the Carers Hwb have been funded by Welsh Government, Swansea Council and various charities and trusts.
Previously based on Mansel Street, Swansea Carers Centre's new home is on Prince Of Wales Road.
Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said: “I am delighted to open the new premises and Hwb for the Swansea Carers Centre today, on Carers Rights Day.
“This larger centre will offer more space for carers to access high-quality support. It will also enable the team to engage with carers more effectively and provide timely information to those who may not be aware of their rights.
PICTURED: The plaque proudly displaying the details of the official opening of the premises.
“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring unpaid carers get the support they deserve, so I'm grateful that the centre delivers our Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, which help carers take a break from their responsibilities and access financial support.
“I want to thank unpaid carers and the centre for the essential role they play in our communities and their dedication to supporting so many people in Wales.”
You can access the Swansea Carers Centre website here.
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
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