Adferiad secures additional Amser funding ahead of Carers Rights Day -“I’d be lost without Adferiad”

As part of Carers Rights Day, Adferiad is highlighting the voices of lived experience through stories from our members. 

Jayne Coldrick first sought support from Adferiad in 2022 after experiencing difficulties managing her well-being while caring for her son with mental health conditions. 

Her son, Daniel, is a 24-year-old with autism and has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. 

Jayne operates as the sole carer, providing constant care to her son, ensuring that their well-being is the priority. 

It is estimated that 311,000 people in Wales provide unpaid care to loved ones or friends due to a health issue or disability. 

Carers Rights Day celebrates the legal rights of unpaid carers by raising awareness of the help and support available to them, aiming to alleviate some of the pressures associated with caregiving.   

Amser grant funding provides third sector organisations, such as Adferiad, with vital resources to deliver flexible and creative short breaks for carers in Wales. 

They provide Carer support across Wales, including Monmouthshire, where they have received additional funding, totalling £9000, to support individuals acting in the role. 

The project enables Carers with tailored support to improve their resilience and well-being, including offering paid respite and vacations away from home. 

You can view the full locations of where the service is offered here. 

Accessing the service, Jayne has received specialist support in managing her wellbeing, whilst offering her an opportunity for respite in a community of carers. 

Jayne has described it as “invaluable” and now regards her Carers Wellbeing Worker, Leigh Coburn, one of her closest friends.  

The charity is highlighting the voice of one of their members as part of raising awareness of the vital work carers in Wales do. 

0This Carers Rights Day, Jayne, alongside Adferiad, is calling for more recognition of unpaid carers. 

She argues the voices of carers are often left “unanswered”, as they “battle for endless mental health support” for their loved ones. 

“Daniel has been quite ill recently; he struggles to get himself out of bed in the mornings and generally doesn’t look after himself. 

“I do the best that I can do, but it is a challenge at times, and it feels like he has just been abandoned”

Daniel had a difficult time in childhood, not being fully diagnosed until he was 19, which affected his education. 

Jayne acts as the sole carer for Daniel, with her brother offering occasional support. 

“I worry about what would happen if I weren’t around. We don’t have a large family, and Daniel can’t look after himself. It has been frustrating as I feel like it has been left to me to try and help him.”  

“Carers are often called the unsung heroes, but who looks after the vulnerable when they are gone?”  

“It just feels like we have been left to fend for ourselves” 

Over time, Jayne acknowledges that her well-being was considered a second priority as she placed emphasis on caring for her son.   

“The more I prioritised Daniel, the harder it was on myself. I looked for help from Adferiad and accessed their Carers Support Services. 

“The support they have given to carers is invaluable, giving people needing support for care respite. 

“I think anyone accessing the service would tell you it is fantastic support; for everyone who uses it, I would be lost without them”

Through accessing Amser Mental Health Grants from Adferiad, Jayne has been enabled to attend group craft events alongside respite trips. 

“I have found their support incredible. Leigh, who works closely with me, has grown into becoming a close friend.   

“They listen to carers and offer a shoulder to lean on” 

Jayne, 64, has now raised awareness of the tireless work undertaken by carers in Wales, but argues that more support is needed, especially with questions being raised surrounding PIP criteria.   

“There is a lot of uncertainty, and it makes me anxious. I think today, people are being scapegoated as scroungers if they claim benefits for mental health. 

“It is wrong, and people don’t recognise how much support these people need. I would like to see more financial support for carers. 

“I would also like to be more involved in care and treatment planning for my son. I don’t want him to spend his life on medication, and I would like to see more rights being added for carers”