Two vital carers’ schemes in Wales to be funded for an extra year

Carers Trust Wales welcomes the news today that Welsh Government is investing a further £5.25 million to continue the Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund for an extra twelve months, until the end of March 2026. 

Responding to the announcement, Kate Cubbage, Carers Trust Director of Wales, says:

“We’ve heard from thousands of unpaid carers that the Short Breaks Scheme has given them their first access to a break from caring and that grants through the Carers Support Fund have been essential to keeping food on the table and heat in their homes."

"These programmes are helping to sustain carers through some of the toughest times."

“That’s why I am beyond delighted that Welsh Government has committed to safeguarding these vital programmes with an assurance of funding for another year."

"This funding will enable local carer organisations and delivery partners to reach thousands more unpaid carers with a much-needed break from caring and with protection from the sharpest end of poverty into 2026."

“These programmes are needed now more than ever, as costs rise and our partners in health and social care face increasing pressures. An investment in support for unpaid carers is an investment we know makes a difference to the wellbeing of individuals and families."

"Our colleagues in statutory services tell us these modest investments make a difference to sustaining carers in their vital caring role and prevent the need for further intervention from acute services."

“As the third sector organisation leading both the Short Breaks Scheme and the Carers Support Fund, Carers Trust Wales looks forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with our local carer and third sector organisations."

"We will support our statutory partners to deliver against the ambitions of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act through these transformative programmes.”

Liz Wallis, the Programme Lead for both the Carers Support Fund and Short Breaks Scheme, commented:

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far with these programmes but we know that too many unpaid carers across Wales are still facing the choice to ‘heat or eat’ and many are being pushed to the edge with little or no chance of a break from caring.

“This renewed funding from Welsh Government will ensure that even more carers will have access to this essential support."

"It will allow our delivery partners across Wales to continue to deliver additional capacity for essential breaks, including by reaching carers from communities who are often under-served by formal services.”

Delivering alongside Carers Trust, partners in health boards, local authorities and Regional Partnership Boards welcomed the news. Naheed Ashraf, Gwent Regional Carers Transformation Lead, comments:

“We’re pleased that these national programmes have been extended, allowing us to keep delivering vital support for unpaid carers in communities across Gwent."

"These programmes allow us to work in partnership with our colleagues in the third sector to improve access to services that give carers voice and control to achieve what matters to them.”

Cllr. Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care, Denbighshire County Council shares:

“The Short Breaks Scheme has enabled Denbighshire County Council to work with our partners in the third sector to jointly deliver our responsibilities to meet the wellbeing needs of unpaid carers in Denbighshire."

"The scheme enhances our local offer as well as being part of the shared regional approach to support unpaid carers across North Wales. Seeing this programme deliver into 2026 means that vital services for unpaid carers are protected.” 

 

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