Carers Partnership Programme

Unpaid Carers are one of the partnership’s priorities, on this page you can learn more about what the programme sets out to achieve as well as its workstreams.

To see our priorities click here.

Supporting Unpaid Carers Across West Glamorgan

Every day, thousands of people provide unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. This care may include emotional support, practical help, personal care, managing appointments, administering medication or helping someone remain independent at home. 

The West Glamorgan Regional Partnership is committed to ensuring unpaid carers are recognised, respected, valued and supported throughout their caring journey. We recognise that carers are experts by experience and equal partners in conversations about both their own needs and the needs of the person they care for. 

More than 50,000 unpaid carers live across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, making an invaluable contribution that helps people remain connected to their communities and reduces the need for formal health and social care services. 

Our Vision 

‘Carers are identified, recognised, respected, empowered and supported. They have a life alongside caring and have a feeling of wellbeing throughout their caring journey’. 

Everything we do as a partnership is guided by this vision and shaped by the voices and experiences of unpaid carers from across West Glamorgan.  

Over the years, unpaid carers have helped shape our regional approach through workshops, annual carers events, engagement sessions and ongoing co-production through the Regional Unpaid Carers Network. This feedback has consistently highlighted the things that matter most to carers and where improvement is needed.  

Unpaid carers have told us that they want: 

  • To be recognised and valued for the role they perform. 
  • Better access to information, advice and support. 
  • Support for their own physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. 
  • Opportunities to balance caring with work, education, family life and personal aspirations. 
  • Services that are easier to navigate and work together more effectively. 
  • Support that is available early, rather than only when people reach crisis point.  

The refreshed strategy reflects both what unpaid carers have told us locally and the direction of travel emerging nationally. Through engagement with carers across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, together with the development of the National Unpaid Carers Strategy for Wales, there is growing recognition that carers should be identified earlier, have easier access to support, be enabled to maintain their own wellbeing, and be supported to achieve financial security and opportunities alongside their caring role. 

Further information on the refreshed strategy and the revised priorities will be available soon.   

Learn More