Are you an unpaid carer?
A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without help.
The term unpaid carer should not be confused with a care employee, who is paid to look after someone. An unpaid carer may or may not be receiving carers allowance. Many people do not recognise themselves as carers and see the support they provide as their duty.
Caring is rewarding but it can be difficult. It is important to recognise your own needs for support.
You have a right to information to support you in your caring role, which can include a carers assessment.
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.
Learn more on the Care Collective website
Wellbeing for carers
Our wellbeing for carers webpage provides information on how you can look after your wellbeing at home, online or in the local community.
You can also sign up to the Carers Network to receive regular eBulletins and carer news, by emailing [email protected]
Download the November 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
Carers needs assessment
All carers have the right to a free assessment of their needs arranged through social services.
The assessment is a conversation with a trained member of staff and focuses on your needs as a carer - not those of the person you care for.
It is an opportunity for you to talk to a professional about what help and support may be available. You can ask for an assessment at any time - even if the person you care for doesn’t want any help from social services or if they are already getting help.
Assessments can take place over the telephone or in person.
Before you have your assessment, it may be helpful to think about the impact caring has on your daily life. This includes your health (physical and mental); work, education and leisure needs; care, support and finances.
The outcome of a carers assessment is different for everyone, and support provided will include advice on how to access community services.
Read about the Newport City Council carers assessment process
Carers Wales guide to getting an assessment factsheet
To request an assessment, contact the First Contact Adults team:
Tel: 01633 656656
Email: [email protected]
Help and support
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.
Details of local support groups and services.
Join the Community Connectors for advice and to chat with other carers.
Newport Short Break Service
A facility-based day service located at Spring Gardens. The service is open Monday to Friday and is for people with a likely or confirmed diagnosis of dementia. A range of activities are offered for those who attend allowing their unpaid carer a break.
For more information, contact 01633 656656
Bridging The Gap Gwent (BTGG) is a short breaks scheme that provides unpaid carers a short period of rest from their caring role.
For more information, contact
- adult carers - 01633 656656
- young carers - 07729 445503
This is an online assessment tool that is free and easy to use and can help you find useful information about products to make daily living activities easier. It covers everything from personal care to looking after pets.
Facilitated by Adferiad on behalf of the five Gwent local authorities. These grants can provide financial support to carers of all ages.
Help to resolve legal, financial and benefit problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. The CAB can help with up-to-date information, benefit checks, carers allowance applications, help with form filling, advice on how to reduce household bills and any available grants.
Tel: 01633 222622
Email: [email protected]
To help get your voice heard by visiting the Dewis Centre for Independent Living website.
This represents the views of parents and unpaid carers of people with learning disabilities at national level.
An easy-to-use app hosted by Carers Wales and designed by carers to make organising care a little easier.
View our web pages for support regarding:
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