Welsh Government commit to a further 3 years of funding for Carers

'' I am very pleased to announce our renewed commitment to our national Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund for a further three years, until the end of March 2029. This represents a substantial investment of a further £15.75m. 

We established our Short Breaks Scheme in 2022 to provide additional opportunities for unpaid carers to have a break from their caring roles, above and beyond the existing duties on local authorities to support them. Over 2022-25, the scheme delivered breaks to over 50,000 unpaid carers of all ages. The scheme is reaching many carers who have not had any other form of break in the past 12 months, and half of whom are not receiving any other kind of support. This also allows them to be identified and other support to be offered.

We know many unpaid carers experience financial disadvantage because of the responsibilities of their caring role. The Carers Support Fund provides emergency financial support for unpaid carers on low incomes to pay for essential items. Crucially, the scheme also provides information about entitlements and financial management, which can have a lasting positive impact on carers’ households.

We continue to work with our partners in local authorities, health and the third sector to drive improved support for unpaid carers, who we know do so much to support our most vulnerable citizens. '' Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care

What does this mean for Credu?

In previous years, Credu WCD Young Carers has been successful in receiving some of this funding to put towards family days out at BeWILDerwood, Greenwood Family Park and Chester Zoo, Christmas Theatre trips and indoor soft play take-overs. The feedback we have received from families for these memorable short breaks and time together having fun has been very positive.

We will apply to be able to offer more short breaks going forward.

The Carers Support Funding has been allocated to individual households that have told us about the challenges they are facing financially for basic needs such as heating , food and electric. The funding is limited in its scale, but can often alleviate immediate pressures on caring household budgets, giving time for  financial advise to be sought and a longer term solution.

Credu will be applying for a further pot to allocate this funding as simply, fairly and with as much dignity to the families that need it, as possible.