Our work in Wales

There are at least 370,000 carers in Wales (which is 10% more than the population of Cardiff). Three in five people in Wales will become a carer at some point in their lives. Carers Trust Wales helps unpaid carers by raising awareness, empowering carers and influencing change and aims to shape a better future with and for carers in Wales. 

Carers Trust Wales is committed to making sure that all carers receive the recognition and support they deserve. Carers Trust work closely and collaboratively with our Network Partners which are local and regional independent charities which deliver information, advice, and practical support for unpaid carers in Wales. 

An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. Unpaid carers might care for someone for a few hours each week, or as much as 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Some unpaid carers live with, or near to, the person they are caring for, whereas others provide more remote support. Some unpaid carers look after more than one person.  The support they provide is extremely varied and might include personal care – such as washing and dressing – housework, food shopping and picking up medication and providing company and emotional support.

You can find carer support and replacement care services near you through the Carers Trust UK wide network of partners. Because not every part of the UK is covered by a Carers Trust Network Partner, we also provide links to alternative sources of local support from across the UK.

Mark Llewellyn

As Professor of Health and Care Policy at the University of South Wales, Mark has been immersed in the issues of carers and the third sector in Wales for many years. His work has centred on gathering evidence about the ways in which relationships between people, their carers, and the local and national organisations that support them can be improved, and applying that in practice. He has been particularly focused on the ways in which carers’ voice are, and are not heard, and the extent to which people are able to exercise voice and control over what matters to them. The key focus for Mark is to forge a connection between evidence, policy, and impact, and to maximise the positive contribution that independent research and evaluation data can make to the everyday experience of unpaid carers across Wales. Mark lives in South-West Wales with his wife and three sons, where he volunteers at the local cricket club.

Gareth Morlais

Gareth is a Welsh language technology specialist with the Welsh Government, working with groups developing speech-to-text, computer aided translation and conversational artificial intelligence, all in the Welsh language. Gareth’s voluntary role with Carers Trust Wales is independent of his work with government.  In his spare time, Gareth is a trustee of Ymddiried Media Grants Cymru, was a non-executive director of Breaking Barriers Community Arts and runs several independent websites. Having helped care for family members, friends and neighbours, Gareth feels it’s important unpaid carers get all possible help and support.

Jo Galazka 

Jo works for Unite the Union as a Regional Women & Equalities Officer in Wales. The role involves representing members in the workplace, negotiating with employers and fighting for fairness and equality in the workplace. She is passionate about ensuring carers are properly supported in work and have a voice in the decision-making process. She has lived in Cardiff for the last 10 years and is an avid campaigner for carers’ rights. Becoming a young carer at the age of 9 has shaped the person she has become and her lived experience has made her determined to champion carers’ rights at every opportunity.   

Ifor Glyn 

Ifor Glyn started his career at the Swansea Drugs Project, one of the first harm reduction agencies in Wales. He also helped establish a substance misuse service within Caerphilly Social Services and worked at WCADA (Welsh Centre for Action on Dependency and Addiction Ltd) before returning to the Swansea Drugs Project as its CEO in 2007.  In 2017, Ifor took up the role of director of the Swansea Carers Centre, a charity providing a range of services to unpaid carers in Swansea, such as respite in the home, day centre, welfare benefits, counselling, activities, drop in, specific services for young adult carers, parent carers and mental health. Despite no longer working in the substance misuse field, Ifor continues to be passionate about minimising the harm caused by drugs or alcohol to individuals and communities. Additionally, Ifor is a Welsh speaker and is a frequent contributor to Welsh Language TV and radio.   In her spare time Alison enjoys reading and spending time with her family, including her 3 grandchildren. 

Alison Harries

Alison Harries is CEO of Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales. 

Alison has worked for Crossroads/Carers Trust since 2003 in various roles.  Alison was the first Registered Manager under the then CSSIW in 2004, alongside her role as the Scheme/Business Manager. In 2007 the organisation underwent a merger with a network member in the same county.  Alison’s new role at that time was Operational/Registered Manager, she was appointed CEO in 2016.

In April 2021 the organisation re-branded as Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales. The reasoning for “West Wales” was that there is no Network Partner in Pembrokeshire and we had formed a consortium with our Network Partners Credu and Carers Trust Crossroads North Wales to provide information, advice and respite care in Ceredigion. They are the only regulated Network Partner hybrid service in West Wales, regulated with Care Inspectorate Wales to deliver care alongside Carers Support Services that offer information, advice and access to financial support. 

During Alison’s time with Crossroads, she has experienced many changes and challenges along with some wonderful humbling experiences of working with unpaid carers. Alison’s experience of being a young carer and, later on in life, balancing her roles as a working carer trying to look after ageing parents with poor health, and at that time a mother to a young family has put her in a good position when trying to understand why a Carer feels as they do and empathise with their situation. Alison is enthusiastic and committed to driving new projects forward.