Carers

Carer_female

Who is an unpaid carer?

An unpaid carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help.

An unpaid carer should not be confused with a care worker or care assistant who receives payment for looking after someone as a job.

As an unpaid carer, you could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, has mental ill health or substance misuse problems; or a child who has a disability or additional learning needs.

Being a carer can be very rewarding but can affect you physically and emotionally. 


Download information about lateral flow testing for unpaid carers (pdf)

Download information about the Carers Rights Day event (pdf)

We are carer friendly!

We have made the commitment to support unpaid carers in Newport. We recognise that unpaid carers play an important role within our communities and we are committed to ensuring that carers are recognised, valued, listened to and supported within our services.

View our commitment on the Care Collective website

We also have a Carer Champion and Senior Carer Champion within Adult Services.

View our carer champion commitment (pdf)

View our senior carer champion commitment (pdf). 

Wellbeing for carers

Caring for someone can be very rewarding but it is not without challenge. It is important that unpaid carers look after their own wellbeing as well as the person they care for. 

Our Wellbeing for Carers webpage provides information on how you can look after your wellbeing at home, online or in the local community. 

Download the February 2024 carers bulletin (pdf)

Know your rights

Under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, unpaid carers have certain rights including:

  • the right to information, advice and assistance
  • the right to an assessment
  • the right to wellbeing
  • The right to have your voice heard and to have control over decisions about your support
  • The right to advocacy

Visit the Welsh Government to learn more about unpaid carer's rights

Assessment

You have a right to information to support you in your caring role, which can include a carers assessment.

Read about the Newport City Council carers assessment process 

Carers Wales guide to getting an assessment factsheet (pdf)

Request a carers assessment and/or information

Help and support

Sign up to the Carers Network to receive regular eBulletins and up-to-date carer news, email [email protected]

Newport City Council can offer information, advice and assistance to unpaid carers of all ages:

Young Carers (pdf) (aged 8 - 15 years)

Young Adult Carers (pdf) (aged 16 - 25 years)

Adult Carers (pdf) (aged 18+ years) 

Newport Carers Handbook (pdf): a guide to services available in Newport and a useful resource for carers. 

Carers Guide to Planning for Emergencies (pdf): helps you think about forward planning for yourself and the person you care for. 

Email [email protected] or call (01633) 235650 if you would like us to post a copy of the Carers Handbook or Carers Guide to Planning for Emergencies to you. 

Newport Carers Directory (pdf): details of local support groups and services.

Carers Cafe (pdf) - Join the Community Connectors for advice and to chat with other carers 

Newport Short Break Service: Support for carers and the adult they care for, either within the community or within a facility setting based within Spring Gardens. 

This service is aimed to support unpaid carers who provide care to an adult with eligible care needs in Newport, enabling the carer to take a break from their caring role. We also provide this service for individuals that have been assessed for the service via an Integrated Assessment and Care & Support Plan.

Request an assessment using the form above or by telephoning the First Contact team on 01633 656656.

If you care for a child who has a disability or additional learning needs and would like to discuss support options, more information is available here.

Carer's parking permitnominated carers can apply for a parking permit so they can park safely at the home of the person they care for.

Telecare, Assistive Technology and Pendant alarms: a variety of technology is available to increase independence and give peace of mind for unpaid carers if the person they care for is at risk when left alone.

AskSARAa free and easy to use online self-help guide providing expert advice and information on products and equipment for older or disabled adults and children.

Small Grants Scheme: facilitated by The Care Collective on behalf of the five Gwent local authorities. These grants can provide financial support to carers of all ages.

Newport Citizens Advice Bureauhelp in applying for carers allowance or with a benefits check to help maximise your income.  

Advocacy for unpaid carers: to help get your voice heard 

All Wales Forum: represents the views of parents and unpaid carers of people with learning disabilities at national level.

Carers Support Groups in Newport: support, friendship and activities for unpaid carers. 

Jointly App: help make caring less stressful and more organised by creating a ‘circle of support’ to share caring duties. 

Wellbeing: signposting support for your wellbeing


Young carers 

A young carer is someone aged under 25 years who is caring or helping to care for a relative by doing housework, shopping, cooking or looking after brothers and sisters. 

A Young Carers ID card is available to young carers under the age of 18, which can reassure young carers when they approach professionals such as doctors, teachers and pharmacists. ID cards are available from Newport Young Carers Service.

Visit Newport Young Carers service for further information. 

Newport Young Carers Service also offer virtual groups, one-to-one video chats and phone calls to provide support. Email [email protected]


 

Planning for end of life decisions

Alzheimer’s Society have a simple booklet called ‘This is Me’ that can be used to record details about a person living with dementia and act as a guide if the person moves into a care home or spends time in a hospital or hospice.

Compassion in Dying offers information about making advance decisions about end of life care, including an Advance Decision Pack to record your wishes.

Marie Curie provides information and support for people who are caring for someone who has a terminal or life affecting illness such as dementia, Parkinson’s Disease or cancer.

When caring comes to an end

There are different reasons why your caring role may come to an end and support is available.

Carers UK have information available, including a booklet to support life after caring. Download when caring ends or changes (pdf).

If you would like to discuss new opportunities contact the Community Connectors

Further information