West Wales RPB Awards Certificate of Excellence for Carers Support West Wales
At the recent West Wales Regional Partnership Board Awards held in Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Carers Support West Wales were recognised with a Certificate of Excellence after being nominated for an award in the Co-production category. The award was accepted by Vice Chair of the West Wales Carers Development Group Sophie Buckley, from PAVS, and Carers Support West Wales project lead Tammy Foley. Sophie said “We are delighted to receive this certificate which recognises the important role unpaid Carers have played in the design and development of Carers Support West Wales, and we really appreciate the time and lived experience that they have been able to offer us. We look forward to continuing to involve unpaid Carers and providers in the future development of the website.”
Acting on behalf of the West Wales Carers Development Group, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) was awarded RIF funding to develop a bilingual regional carers online platform. The website supports the provision and accessibility of consistent information, assistance and advice for unpaid carers in West Wales, which unpaid carers told us was important to them. The website, named Carers Support West Wales (CSWW) by carers themselves, is a one stop shop for carer specific information and has been co-produced with unpaid carers in the region. The website design, branding and content has been developed through coproduction and engagement with unpaid carers and providers throughout the region. Carers told us the sort of information they would like to find on the website. A group of unpaid carers were also involved in testing the website and providing feedback.
At the official website launch in November 2022, Judith Hardisty, Hywel Dda University Health Board Vice Chair and Carers Champion who is also Chair of the Regional Partnership Board said:
“I am delighted that the Carers Support West Wales website will provide a bilingual ‘one stop shop’ for unpaid Carers helping them to easily find information to support them in their caring role. The website will include details of local groups and activities, as well as relevant and timely help and support on benefits and financial entitlements. We know that people don’t always recognise themselves as unpaid carers, so won’t be aware of the help and support which is available to support them in their caring role, therefore this new website will be a valuable resource for everyone. The Regional Partnership Board are grateful for the contribution of all our unpaid carers who care for family and friends in their own communities and are committed to ensuring that the needs of unpaid carers are addressed.”
For more information visit https://carerssupportwestwales.org