At the next meeting of the Executive Board members will be asked to approve the “North Wales Carers’ Strategy.”
The Strategy recognises the key role that carers of all ages have in the health and social care environment and the need to value them for the support in their vital role. It also recognises the importance of working in partnership with carers throughout their contact with the service.
But not all see themselves as carers. They will describe themselves as a parent, husband, wife, partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend or neighbour, but not as a carer.
A parent carer is a parent or guardian who has additional duties and responsibilities towards his/her child because his/her child has an illness or disability. Parent carers will often see themselves as parents rather than carers, but they may require additional services in order to meet or continue to meet the needs of their child.
As a carer they can benefit from a range of services including information, advice and support. They can also have one to one support, join support groups, forums, cafes, receive emotional support, counselling, training, therapies, benefits advice, carer breaks, peer support activities, advocacy, direct payments, supported and grants.
The Strategy looks further than the services however, it has taken on board what carers have said about needing good quality reliable support for the person cared which is of paramount importance and contributes to their well-being as carers. They’ve also said that they really value the range of support provided by third sector organisations.
They’ve also said that they appreciate being listened to, being recognised, respected and heard by people responsible for designing and providing services for them and the person they care for.
“Now thinking as carers”
The report will be presented by Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Adult Health and Social Care, who said: “By looking through the eyes of carers a real insight into their needs has been achieved. This has resulted in services now thinking as carers,would, involving them in decision making and working with them to produce services around their needs. The Strategy is a real step forward in improving the well-being for this amazing group of people who do a fantastic and selfless in looking after loved ones.”
The Strategy was co-produced with the Carers Trust, Nroth East Wales carers Information Service, Barnardo’s Cymru, Wrexham Carers Service, Hafal, Carers Outreach Service, Action for Children and Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire Young Carers.
You can read the full North Wales Carers Strategy here.
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