UNPAID carers in Carmarthenshire contribute an estimated £500m per year to the local economy, according to statistics released by Carmarthenshire County Council during Carers Week.
The vital role the army of 24,000 carers play in Carmarthenshire has been highlighted in a series of road shows run during Carers Week (Jun 6-12) across the county.
Many are unaware of the network of support services available to support them. The road shows in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford helped to address this issue.
Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, Councillor Jane Tremlett, said: “Being a carer can often feel isolating and stressful, but there is no need to feel alone.
“The council and their many partners can offer a range of support and information services to help carers in their valuable role. It is important that people seek advice. So many are unaware, and in some cases, too proud to take that step to seek help.
“Macmillian Cancer Support in Wales has acknowledged that Carmarthenshire people are stoic in nature and are not likely to seek support until their situation becomes desperate.
“Carers Week has helped us address that and enabled us to meet with carers and let them know that there is help that they can access early in any situation from a range of professional and experienced partners who can help organise anything from shopping, respite, short breaks with medical appointments, benefits advice or access to other services including activities and social media or just friendly one-to-one support.”
County Joint Carers Development Officer, Jonathan Rees, said: “There are 24,000 unpaid Carers in the county and it’s accepted the current figures are probably higher. More than 10,000 of these provide 50 or more hours of care per week.
“Carers, it is acknowledged, contribute more than £7 billion to the health and social care economy in Wales every year with the average Carer contributing £23,000.
“Many carers have to give up paid work or blossoming careers to care for a family member.
“Carers often exist in a poverty trap because the carers allowance benefit equates to less than £2 an hour. So having to give up employment means a huge drop in income and the inability to save towards a pension for later life. There are also added costs that caring brings with the provision of specialist equipment, special diets, extra heating or adaptations among many others. “Carers understandably struggle on to maintain their caring role whilst sustaining employment. Many can fear disclosing their responsibilities at home for fear of putting their employment at risk.
“This was among the concerns expressed by carers visiting the stands in St Elli Centre, Llanelli; St Catherine’s Walk, Carmarthen and Ammanford.”
One Llanelli carer, Fran, looks after her husband, who is bipolar, and his dad, who has dementia, and is also caring for her AHD son.
She said: “I have been quite astonished how much support is available. I have been at my wits end. I have been able to put a number of options in place to help me out at home simply by visiting the stand.”
Bethan Morgan from Burry Port who care s for her 90-year-old mum who has dementia, said: “Just a few minutes chat has steered me to new options and help with benefits that have not been claimed.”
In Carmarthen, Linda Phillips from Capel Dewi sought help for her teenage children who shared her care for another sibling who has profound learning difficulties.
“They are young adult carers who miss out on so much because of their dedicated devotion to their younger sister.
“I was interested to learn the Young Adult Carers Trust in Carmarthenshire could offer so much,” she said.
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