Grants for unpaid carers
With the support of our funders, we have a number of different grants available for unpaid carers.
We really want to distribute these as quickly as possible to all carers that are eligible. Please keep checking this website for details, read the guidance and put in your application if you think the grant applies to your situation.
All our current grants are limited to certain areas and certain types of support and each fund is different, so please read the guidance carefully before applying.
Here we will explain what is available and if you think you can apply, there is a link to a form to complete. Please read through carefully or ask someone you trust to help you. We really want to make sure that any carer that is entitled to a grant gets the support they need.
If you do apply, please make sure you complete all the essential parts of the form. If there are bits missing, we won’t be able to allocate a grant.
Welsh Government Amser Fund
– currently OPEN
We understand a ‘break’ can mean different things depending on an individual’s wants, needs and circumstances. Therefore, this grant aims to provide a short break opportunity tailored to support the needs of the Carer and the individual they care for.
You can apply for this grant if you are an Unpaid Carer and live in one of the following local authority areas: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan.
These grants have proved very popular and we may close the application form so that we can process applications. If the link takes you to a closed application message, please check back as we will re-open as soon as possible.
When the fund is open you can apply using this link Amser grant application form
Welsh Government Carers Support Fund
– currently OPEN
The Carers Support Fund Wales has been put in place to help unpaid carers today’s financial pressures.
If you are an unpaid carer and money is worrying you, you may be able to get a one-off grant. This is a grant and will not need to be paid back.
The Carers Support Fund is limited and different funds are available to carers in different local authority areas for particular times. We cannot give grants over the limits for each area so there will be times, depending on demand, when we have to close applications. The areas that we have funding for at present are; Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire.
We will have the fund open as often as possible, but the demand is very high and we might need to close to allow for processing. We want to get funds out to all who are eligible as quickly as possible and don’t want to turn down applications because information is missing. So please fill out your form with all the details asked for as soon as you can.
Please read the guidance and when the grants are open you will need to fill in the application form here.
If you have already received a Welsh Government Carers Support grant from us since December 2022, please do not to apply again.
The restrictions that we have been given are that this is a one application per household fund, so we are able to support as many unpaid carers as possible at this really difficult time.
We have been receiving multiple household applications and applications that do not meet the criteria, so please do read the guidance before applying, so as to reduce the chance of disappointment.
Our staff are working extremely hard to ensure we are supporting unpaid carers who are finding it difficult to afford essential items, so please be patient and respectful if you are applying and/or are unsuccessful with your application.
Please do look at our other grants to see if they are suitable. A list of other general grants can also be found here Search for charitable and educational grants – Turn2us
Cardiff and Vale ‘Short Breaks’ grants
– Currently OPEN
With the kind support of the Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board and listening to unpaid carers in the area we are able to offer vouchers carers.
Unpaid carers have told us that a break can be many different things; from sitting in the garden to clear their head to not having to worry about getting dinner on the table on a Friday night after a long week of working and caring, whilst others welcome the chance to have a spa day for some relaxation.
Examples of quotes from carers who have received grants
“Thank you for the quick approval. I purchased my garden items and they were delivered the next day. It’s great to be able to buy items to enjoy the garden as I rarely buy anything for myself” (provided with Argos vouchers)
‘The grant will allow me to take up a new hobby and have some time for myself’ (provided with Argos vouchers)
Please read the guidance and fill in the application form; here
Small Grants Scheme for unpaid carers in Gwent
– Currently OPEN
Thanks to the kind support of the Gwent Regional Partnership Board and funding from Welsh Government, unpaid Carers living in the Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen areas can apply for a small grant. A summary of what you can apply for and how is here
The four carer small grant funds are:
- Carers Essentials – maximum award £300
Carers in Gwent can apply for small grants of up to £300 towards the cost of ONE piece of household equipment which will benefit them in their caring role.
- Carers Time Out – maximum award £300
The ‘Time Out’ small grant is designed to give carers in Gwent a break from their caring role.
- Carers Access – maximum award £500
Carers Access aims to remove some of the transport-related barriers to living a full and independent life that may have been placed on a person by their caring role. For example the grant could be used towards the cost of driving lessons.
- Carers Skills – maximum award £300
These grants for learning new skills that can help with the caring role, help carers return to work or to have a new interest outside the caring role.
There are rules for who can receive a grant and what for, which we have to apply to every request. To avoid disappointment, before applying please read the full guidance notes which you can find here
Please click on this link to apply; Small Grants Scheme application form
Our grants programmes are funded by (not in priority order):
