Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service

Hundreds of carers and former carers in Wales will have improved access to further education, employment, training and volunteering thanks to a £3.7 million funding package. The announcement that five organisations will share £3,757,534 came during Carers Week (June 14-20).

Under the Big Lottery Fund’s Life Skills project, the money has been awarded to support more than 1,500 carers in Wales, improving their chances of finding a job and gaining access to vital education, volunteering, training and employment opportunities.

Caitlin’s Wish is a storybook written by Victoria Taylor for children who have a disabled or sick family member, relative or friend. It is a magical fairytale, beautifully illustrated by Clare Wiles, that enables young carers to see their role from a different perspective, and is an insight into what being a young carer is really like!  Victoria wrote this book with young carers in mind, to helpvthem to see the positive elements in their lives rather than dwelling on the negatives.

Caitlin’s Wish is available to order now, published by AuthorHouse.  25% of the royalties from every book sold will be going to Crossroads Care  and the IH ResearchFoundation.  For more information on Caitlin’s Wish please go to www.caitlinswish.co.uk

Neath Port Talbot Carers Service provides information and support to unpaid carers.  The service provides information and support on Carers Rights, Benefit Advice, and can also signpost onto other support organisations.

The theme of Carers Week 2010 is ‘A life of my own’. To celebrate carers week Neath Port Talbot Carers Service invites you to join us in activities throughout the week. The aim is to enable carers to have a break and an opportunity to socialise with other carers.

There are two events outlined for Carers Week 2010.  Firstly, “A Day for Carers” will be held at Aberavon Beach hotel on Friday 18th June 2010.  The event will give carers the opportunity to relax and socialise with other carers and a buffet lunch will be available.  There will also be time to enjoy various activities throughout the day. 

There will also be a walk in the Gnoll Country Park  on Monday 14th June 2010, starting at 1:00pm and ending at 4:00pm.

If you would like further information about the service or would like to attend the events please contact Neath Port Talbot Carers Service on 01639 642277.

The launch of the multi-agency Young Carers Protocol and Neath Port Talbot Young Carers Forum Action Plan 2010 is to be held between 2.30pm and 4.00pm on Thursday 18th March 2010 at The Great Hall, Sandfields Comprehensive school. Please e-mail e.griffiths-hughes@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk before the 12th March with the names of those from your department or organisation who wish to attend.

The Care Council for Wales is currently running its ‘Confidence in Care’ Campaign. ‘Confidence in Care’ aims to raise awareness and understanding of the role of the Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers, ultimately promoting a better understanding of the social care profession in Wales. An information pack has been produced by the Care Council for Wales to help communicate the campaign messages to as wide an audience as possible – be it those receiving social care services, those working in the sector or members of the general public. More information can be found at the Care Council of Wales website.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas has outlined proposals to improve the lives of carers with the publishing of the proposed Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure. For more information please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas has outlined proposals to improve the lives of carers with the publishing of the proposed Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure. For more information please visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

Background – The Care Council for Wales is undertaking a project to explore the use of accreditation of work based learning in social care. The project will result in some pilot work with employers in social care to initially accredit in house learning on the Credit and Qualification Framework for Wales. This will benefit employers, learners and service users alike and will include within its scope voluntary, private and public sectors. For more information on the Credit & Qualification Framework go to the website.

Please note that you can now obtain a pdf copy of the 3rd edition of Carers and their Rights from the Carers UK website.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas announced the appointment of Chair to the Care Council for Wales and also a member to represent the perspective of the Voluntary Sector Employers.  Following an open competition, Arwel Ellis Owen from Cardiff has been appointed as Chair and Roger Gant from Brecon has been appointed as member.  Both appointments are for a period of 4 years.  The Welsh Assembly Government website has further information.