Young and adult carers told their stories to Powys Councillors to raise awareness about the issues they face.

Unpaid carers in the county in a visit to the council chambers with charity Credu on Monday March 27. The visit was to help raise awareness to the 35,000 people of all ages across Powys who are looking after loved ones with ill health or disability and look at policies that could help.

The aim of the meeting was to stress the value of carers of all ages which can be invisible, yet they provide 96 percent of care in local communities – worth over £8 billion to the Welsh Economy.

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Hayley Pugh, Parent Carer and now also Respite Co-ordinator from Credu, said: “Amazing day. So proud of our carers and all the councillors that are joining up to champion Credu and Carers. It's amazing what can happen when people come together and truly listen. Watch this space - exciting times.”

18-year-old Emily Bleakley from Newtown who, at the age of 14, looked after her mother when she was terminally ill as well as her brother with autism. 

Ms Bleakley described how tough it has been, the importance of support is and how difficult it is to decide whether or not to go to university when you have caring responsibilities.

Elizabeth James, 85 from Llandrindod Wells told the councillors about her experience of looking after her daughter who has learning difficulties and still getting up in the night to comfort her when she is anxious.

Mrs James and her husband were farmers and never claimed benefits they were entitled to, because they could manage off the income of the farm.

However when Mrs James was widowed, finances got tight and she was not entitled to any financial support as carers allowance is not available to people on a pension.

Laura Hares, a parent carer from Welshpool, told councillors how difficult she and other carers from Welshpool have found finding paid care workers amid the social care crisis.

But she also explained how she is now working with other carers to develop a new model of community-based day care and social care workforce development.

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Councillor Sian Cox, portfolio holder for adult social care in Powys said after the meeting: “I thought I couldn't become more impressed by Credu and the unpaid young and adult carers they work with, but I was wrong; today they sent my admiration and respect for them to new heights. 

“I urge everyone to become unpaid carer-aware; be assured that they are in your community, probably under the radar, delivering a volume of care and support that no local authority could ever match; and your recognition of them, and your acknowledgement of the enormous service they provide to society, would mean a great deal to them.”

Councillor Peter James was very moved by the meeting. “Becoming a carer can happen overnight to any of us. In our family we look after our mother and help each other to do that,” said Councillor James.

“My great nephew suffered a stroke at the age of nine; his parents became carers overnight as did my sister and brother in law, while also looking after our 90 year old mother after an operation.

 “We all need to look after each other and look out for carers.”