Experts welcome Welsh Government announcement of millions in new funding to support breaks for unpaid carers
Experts supporting people living with dementia and their families, researching the topic at Bangor University, have welcomed the Welsh Government’s commitment of £3 million, in 2021 – 2022, to help meet unpaid carers need for breaks from their caring responsibilities.
According to Dr Diane Seddon, Reader at Bangor University and Social Care Research Lead, Wales Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research:
This timely announcement to mark Carers Week, 7th to 13th June, reaffirms Welsh Government commitment to supporting a life alongside caring; all carers living in Wales must have the opportunity to take breaks from their caring role to enable them to maintain their own health and wellbeing.
Alongside traditional forms of breaks, such as day care or replacement care for the supported person, Welsh Government policy promotes the development of creative break options in partnership with a range of sectors covering hospitality, the environment, sports, arts, and leisure.
Research funded by the Wales School for Social Care Research and led by researchers at the University’s School of Health Sciences will guide the development of meaningful support through creative break options for carers who support people living with dementia by asking them about their experience of providing care.
In celebration of Carers Week, the researchers are inviting carers, living in North and Mid Wales, who support a family member or friend with dementia to share their caregiving experience with them. They would like to learn about the support that is meaningful for them and to explore the ways in which breaks from their caring responsibilities can be realised to maintain their wellbeing.
Maria Caulfield, a Wales School for Social Care Research funded PhD Student at Bangor University’s School of Health Sciences is leading the research.
She explained;
Harnessing the diverse experiences of carers will help us shape how communities can work creatively, and maximise their resources, to support the local needs of carers and people living with dementia. In turn, this research will contribute towards the delivery of Welsh Government’s national priorities for carers and people living with dementia, including, a life alongside caring
If you care for someone with dementia and would like to contribute your caregiving experience, please contact Maria Caulfield:
Telephone: 01248 38 2596 Email: m.caulfield@bangor.ac.uk
Bangor University are also continuing to explore the ways in which they can support the student population with caring responsibilities. More details on this research area and outcomes will soon be available on the Ageing and Dementia @Bangor website.
