£3m respite fund launched for Welsh unpaid carers

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced that a new £3 million fund is being set up to provide respite and short breaks for Wales’ small army of unpaid carers.

Speaking during Carers Week, Morgan said the new fund will extend and improve the availability and quality of respite services, helping to support the valuable work unpaid carers do every day. Approximately 12 per cent of people in Wales have caring responsibilities.

With no one-size-fits-all form of respite, the fund will be available for flexible support to meet the needs of individual carers through a range of person-centred and innovative options, including face-to-face support and short breaks, helping unpaid carers have regular periods away from their caring routines or responsibilities.

The £3 million fund will be split into two phases – local authorities will be allocated £1.75 million in the first phase to meet an anticipated surge in demand for respite services. In the second phase, £1.25 million will fund a new Wales-wide short breaks fund.

Morgan said: “The physical and emotional impact of caring can be overwhelming. Unpaid carers across Wales play a vital role in our society – and their contribution to the pandemic has been immense, often taking on greater responsibilities with fewer breaks.

“Respite services can be a lifeline and this new fund will make sure unpaid carers have a short break from their caring responsibilities. Unpaid carers are some of society’s unsung heroes and it is essential we help them look after their own health and well-being.”