Young carers work recognised

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Team around the Family (TAF) have become the first Local Authority team across the Hywel Dda University Health Board area to be formally recognised for their work with young carers.

The team achieved the Investors in Carers bronze level award in recognition of the excellent work undertaken with young carers to help them understand and cope with the challenges they and their families face.

They received their award during Carers Week (6-12 June) from representatives of Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The scheme is designed to help health facilities such as GP practices and hospitals focus and improve their carer awareness and enhance the help and support they give carers.

A wide range of information and advice is available for young carers and TAF have worked hard to ensure families understand how to get support that can make all the difference for them and the person they care for.

The initiative was extended to school in 2014 to highlight the role of young carers and in 2016 it was made available for Local Authority teams.

Young carers are classed as children and young people under the age of 18 who may be involved in caring for parents, siblings, or other relatives who have an illness, disability, mental health condition, suffered substance misuse or other need for care or supervision.

“Anyone can become a carer. In most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it’s a matter of circumstance and that’s why it’s so pleasing to see the Team around the Family’s work being recognised”, said Cabinet member for Adult Services, Health and Well-Being Councillor Simon Hancock.

“I know they have put a lot of work in to reaching out to young carers to help guide and support them to find ways of facing the daily challenges caring can bring.

Carers Champion Councillor Mike James echoed Councillor Hancock’s praise adding: “Our County’s young carers are in good hands. I hope that with this recognition, young carers will realise the support and advice they are having is first class and that we are here for them whenever they need us.”

For more information about the support available to carers or to find out how your team could be also become accredited under the Investors in Carers scheme please contact the Carers Strategy Coordinator on 01437 775190 or email joy.james@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Caption
Pictured from left to right; Peta Rogers Customer Liaison Officer PCC, Sarah Shinner – TAF, Isobel Arnold – TAF, Joel Crockford – TAF, Cllr Mike James – PCC Carers Champion, Cllr Simon Hancock – HDUHB independent Board Member, Joy James – Carers Strategy Coordinator PCC, Dr Gareth Morgan – Carer Lead HDUHB