Unpaid Carers in Wales Face Significant Challenges
A mother who left her job to care for her disabled daughter requiring constant supervision has spoken out about the difficulties unpaid carers face, describing feelings of being "used" and having to "fight for everything".
Michelle Rees, 45, from Crynant, Neath Port Talbot, revealed that the carer's allowance she receives is insufficient, leaving her unable to afford breakfast.
A report by the Senedd health and social care committee identified that over 300,000 people in Wales provide unpaid care, yet there has been "little improvement" in their circumstances since 2019.
The Welsh government stated it "highly valued" the contributions of unpaid carers and acknowledged the pressures they endure. The UK government, responsible for the carer's allowance, has been requested to comment.
Unpaid carers are individuals who care for friends or relatives unable to manage without support but do not receive professional salaries.
The Senedd committee's report noted that as of March 2024, 310,000 people in Wales—approximately one in 11—provided unpaid care, but only 4,924 had a support plan in place.
Some carers experienced months-long waits for assessments, often with no services provided after the process, the report added.
The report made 35 recommendations for the incoming Welsh government, including simplifying identification of unpaid carers by doctors, health, and social workers, and increasing support for young carers.
"Unpaid carers have shouldered heavy burdens for too long and the evidence is clear - Wales must do far better by those at the heart of our care system,"said committee chair Peter Fox MS.
Michelle Rees: "I've had to fight for everything"
Michelle cares for her 23-year-old daughter Alicia, who has a learning disability and a rare form of epilepsy.
Alicia experiences thousands of seizures daily and requires constant supervision.
In addition to caring for Alicia, Michelle supports her parents, who are in their 70s, as well as her sister and nephew.
"People say they appreciate unpaid carers, but we don't feel appreciated, we feel used,"Michelle said.
"Our love is used against us, because we love the people we care for, we give them our time.
"I gave up work to care for my daughter but every system I've come across, I've had to fight for everything she's entitled to and everything she needs and everything I need to keep her alive and safe in the home."
Michelle reported spending over 90 hours per week providing care. The carer's allowance is £83.30 per week and is available to those providing at least 35 hours of care weekly.
"I don't have breakfast because I can't afford breakfast. I have one meal a day,"Michelle stated.
"With the cost of living, the price of food, petrol, gas and electric. It's dire. There's no money left."
The report highlighted that carers' physical and mental health is deteriorating, with some experiencing isolation, burnout, and suicidal thoughts. It also found respite care to be "non existent" in some areas of Wales.
Michelle urged the Welsh government to pressure the UK government, which controls carer's allowance decisions, to improve support for carers in Wales.
"Don't say you appreciate - recognise us,"she said.
Young Carers Often Unaware of Their Role
The committee report also found that young carers often miss out on education, struggle with anxiety, and lose opportunities for employment and social activities.
Albie Sutton, 17, from Denbighshire, has cared for his mother Helen since he was 11 years old.
He assists with his mother's physical care and helps his father with household tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
"As a young carer, it's not something you're taught to do and then you do it,"Albie explained.
"You're just sort of thrown into the deep end or you start off small and then it gets sort of more and more demanding."
He described being "very busy" balancing his caring responsibilities with studying for A-levels, aspiring to become a nuclear physicist, and supporting other young carers.
Albie chairs the Young Carers Advisory Board for Wales, which contributed to the report.
"There are thousands of young carers that are in my position that don't have access to a break or don't have much access to support, whether that's financially or emotionally or even just having a break from your caring role,"he said.
He recommended the Welsh government implement a "uniform approach" in schools to ensure young carers receive support regardless of location.
His mother Helen expressed concern over his responsibilities.
"I feel really bad because he's only 17 and he's been doing this since he was 11.
"He's not a child but he shouldn't have to have this on his shoulders."
Additional Carer Perspectives
Jo Phillips from Swansea cares for her 22-year-old son, who has debilitating OCD and autism.
She also supports other carers navigating health and benefits systems.
"We're not exhausted from our caring roles, the exhaustion comes from dealing with professionals, or social care, health, education. Parent carers I think have got it the hardest."
Jo emphasized the need for local authorities to be accountable for carer assessments.
"The whole system would collapse [without us],"she added.
"I've got to keep going because without me, what happens to my son? There is no choice."
Calls for Action and Government Responses
Peter Fox described the report as a "call to action," urging the next Welsh government to implement all 35 recommendations.
"We're hoping that this report with its strong recommendations will turn the dial and make the changes that are needed so that they feel recognised and supported,"he said.
"They do a fantastic job for our health system, they are the unsung heroes, the backbone of our social care system and our health system, and they need our support."
A Welsh government spokesperson said:
"Local authorities have their core funding to provide support for carers.
"We are driving a programme of national improvement work and have provided a further £13m this year to provide additional advice and wellbeing services for carers, short breaks and emergency financial assistance.
"We have also been consulting on a draft national strategy to improve support for unpaid carers."
A Reform UK Wales spokesperson stated:
"Our carers are playing a key role in keeping our entire healthcare system working. We applaud them and will continue to engage with them."
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson commented:
"Unpaid carers deserve respect and greater support.
A Plaid Cymru government will be serious about supporting those carers who give so much to our society, ensuring a system where carers have access to the necessary respite they need."
A Welsh Conservative spokesperson said:
"We fully recognise that carers often feel unheard and struggle to access the support they need, which is why we are introducing a right to respite and providing free bus travel for young carers, alongside wider measures to ensure they are properly valued and supported."
A Welsh Labour spokesperson added:
"We deeply value the work that carers do. If re-elected Welsh Labour would increase support for unpaid carers and provide 16,000 short breaks for unpaid carers each year."
The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats have been approached for comment.
