Cardiff and Vale

For carers in Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan

If you are an unpaid carer in the Cardiff and the Vale area, you have come to the right place.  

Here at the Cardiff and Vale Carers Gateway we aim to give unpaid carers the support they need and want and act as a gateway into wider services available locally.  

Improving the quality of life for carers and those they care for is very important to us. We do this by providing information and support to help carers in their role, to make the most of their life alongside caring and to maintain their independence. We also help carers to make their voice heard. 

 Here is a quick video about our support: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E16q2uUrMD8 

Financial support

We currently have grants available for carers living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan who are experiencing financial difficulties.  The application form and guidance is here: Carers Support Fund Application Form (Page 1 of 10) (office.com)

Wellbeing support 

Being an unpaid carer can be exhausting. Endlessly busy it can be hard finding the information you need. Our Wellbeing Workers help carers to understand what they do need and access local services.  

We know that caring can be a lonely place and talking with others in the same position can help. We also run a monthly Carers Support Peer Group in Barry, for carers who live in both Cardiff and the Vale.  It is an opportunity to meet informally with other carers and to discuss caring roles, hobbies and interests. 

Our Carers Counselling is a free service of up to 10 sessions, covering both the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff. These can be by telephone, virtually and/or face to face. 

The service within the Vale supports unpaid carers aged 18 and above who are caring for a family member or relative with late life dementia or mental health issues.  

The service across Cardiff is open to all counselling referrals for unpaid carers aged 18 and above.  

Carers are experts in their own experience

We feel strongly that carers are able to share their experiences with those that provide services that affect them and the person they care for.  

The Carers Expert Panel is here to listen to and share ideas, opinions, and first-hand experiences of unpaid carers.  Panel members are unpaid carers who volunteer their time. They are able to have their say and shape services in Cardiff and The Vale. 

Panel meetings are normally held monthly online via Zoom and last around an hour.  If you are interested in taking part, we can give you more information and a Zoom-link invitation to the next meeting. 

We are able to do this work with the kind support of the Cardiff and the Vale Regional Partnership Board (CAVRPB), who work together with lots of organisations to aim to give the right support at the right time in the right place. You can find out more from the CAVRPB here along with more information from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

As part of this partnership we are very pleased to work alongside the YMCA Cardiff who have a project especially to support young carers. We know how hard and lonely it can be as a young carer and Time 4 Me project provides support and a break along with a chance to connect and make friends.

Being Carer Friendly 

We believe that everyone providing services, of any sort, or employing staff should understand the world of the unpaid carer. Being carer friendly could mean making small changes that make a big difference.  

Through our Carer Friendly Training and Accreditation scheme we aim to help partner organisations and businesses improve, share and recognise support for unpaid carers across a wide range of services. This includes supporting unpaid carers in the workplace as well as the wider community. 

Contact us

gateway@thecarecollective.wales  

Telephone: 02921 921024

Address: West House, Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2YG