Unpaid Carers Bulletin - Bwletin Gofalwyr Di-dal

Covid-19 vaccine 

There have been recent changes in the COVID-19 vaccination programme affecting unpaid carers. 

Due to reduced risks associated with the disease and limited effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing transmission, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised against their continued vaccination. Therefore, unpaid carers will no longer be routinely eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination under the national programme unless they fall into one of the at-risk categories (for example, they are elderly).     

Unpaid carers will, however, remain eligible for an annual vaccination against seasonal flu. The flu vaccination programme takes place each autumn. Details on the vaccination programme in each health board’s area will be accessible via this webpage at the appropriate time.

Provided by partner – in English only

All Wales Forum

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming “Care to Share” stakeholder events this September, continuing the important conversations across issues that truly matter to families.

These sessions are part of our ongoing work on transitions, community activity and to co-design a community-led short breaks cooperative—an initiative shaped by carers, for carers.

Whether you're a family member, professional, or community partner, your voice is vital in helping us reimaging carer, support and opportunities in Wales.

What to Expect

- Collaborative discussions on short breaks, respite, and transitions

- Real stories and shared learning from across the sector

- Opportunities to shape next steps in our cooperative journey

These events are a space to connect, share, and build something meaningful together. We’d love for you to join us and bring your perspective to the table. 

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at caringcommunities@allwalesforum.org.uk or call us on 02920 811120.

Event Details

Evening Session

Date: 17th September

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm

NHS Screening in Wales

Carers and care providers play an essential role in making sure that the people they care for feel supported when invited for screening.

Visit the carers web page if you are:   

• someone who has been invited for screening and needs support  

• a carer who has been invited for screening    

• supporting a family member or friend who has been invited for screening; or   

• a care worker or health professional.  

To find more about screening if you are a carer, visit the screening carers webpage.

Young carers encouraged to benefit from support

A new Welsh Government campaign aims to help young people recognise when they are carers and connect them with available support.

Around 30,000 young carers in Wales provide physical and emotional support to family members with disabilities or long-term health needs.

But some struggle to balance caring with education, social life and hobbies, and often go unidentified, missing out on crucial help.

The social media campaign features short videos of young carers sharing their responsibilities and directs viewers to support services.

Tamanna from Swansea continues caring for her mother including during important celebrations like Eid al-Adha.  Tamanna said:

“I am a 23-year-old British Bangladeshi. Alongside my siblings I am an unpaid carer for my mum who has a range of medical conditions.

As I live with her, I am her primary carer. I don't think about this as care as it’s my mum and I love her dearly and want the best for her.

However, it can become difficult when I am unable to take time off from work. It's a struggle but we manage by working together as a family. Eid celebrations are always at my mum’s house where everyone comes together to enjoy the much-needed family time.

This also gives me a form of respite where I do not have to worry about my mum falling or needing something as there are others in the house. This is what Eid truly means for us. It is a time of remembering and being there for one another.”

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said:

“As we mark Carers Week, hearing voices like Tamanna's reminds us that caring responsibilities don't pause for holidays. This campaign helps young people recognise when they're caring and connects them with vital support.

We want to ensure young carers don't miss educational opportunities or struggle with their wellbeing. By seeing themselves in these stories, I hope more young people will reach out for the support they deserve.”

Health and Care Research Wales

A new UK-wide service makes it easy for people in Wales to take part in health and care research.

Be Part of Research helps people find suitable health care research studies based on their interests, where they live - as well as their age, sex and ethnicity. People can sign up online and choose the health conditions for trials they would like to take part in, for example heart disease and diabetes. They are then sent clear information about suitable study opportunities for them by email - making it easier than ever to find and take part in vital health and care research.

Register to receive information

Register to receive information

Whether you are:

• An unpaid carer living in the Vale of Glamorgan
• Or a professional who supports unpaid carers 

You can receive information (ebulletins and newsletter) which will be of interest to you such as training, events, or consultations by completing the online form below: 

Brechu rhag COVID-19 

Mae newidiadau wedi’u gwneud yn ddiweddar i'r rhaglen frechu rhag COVID-19 sy'n effeithio ar ofalwyr di-dâl.

Oherwydd bod y risgiau sy'n gysylltiedig â'r clefyd bellach yn llai, ac effeithlonrwydd y brechlyn o ran atal trosglwyddiad yn gyfyngedig, mae'r Cyd-bwyllgor ar Imiwneiddio a Brechu (JCVI) wedi cynghori yn erbyn parhau i frechu'r garfan hon o bobl. Felly, ni fydd gofalwyr di-dâl bellach yn gymwys i gael brechiad rhag COVID-19 o dan y rhaglen genedlaethol oni bai eu bod yn dod o dan un o'r categorïau sy'n wynebu risg (er enghraifft, eu bod yn oedrannus).    

Bydd gofalwyr di-dâl, fodd bynnag, yn parhau i fod yn gymwys i gael brechiad blynyddol yn erbyn y ffliw tymhorol. Mae'r rhaglen frechu rhag y ffliw yn digwydd bob hydref. Bydd manylion am y rhaglen frechu yn y byrddau iechyd unigol ar gael ar y dudalen we hon ar yr adeg briodol.

Sgrinio’r GIG yng Nghymru

Mae gofalwyr a darparwyr gofal yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth sicrhau bod y bobl y maent yn gofalu amdanynt yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cefnogi i gael mynediad at sgrinio pan gânt eu gwahodd.

Ewch i’r dudalen we ar gyfer gofalwyr os ydych chi’n: 

• rhywun sydd wedi cael gwahoddiad i gael ei sgrinio ac sydd angen cymorth
• ofalwr sydd wedi cael ei wahodd i gael prawf sgrinio
• cefnogi aelod o'r teulu neu ffrind sydd wedi cael gwahoddiad i gael prawf sgrinio; neu
• Gweithiwr gofal, neu’n weithiwr iechyd proffesiynol

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am sgrinio os ydych chi'n ofalwr,ewch i'r dudalen we gwybodaeth sgrinio i ofalwyr. 

Annog gofalwyr ifanc i fanteisio ar gymorth

Mae ymgyrch newydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru am helpu pobl ifanc sy’n gofalu i sylweddoli eu bod yn ofalwyr, a’u cysylltu â’r cymorth sydd ar gael.

Mae tua 30,000 o ofalwyr ifanc yng Nghymru yn darparu cymorth corfforol ac emosiynol i aelodau o’r teulu sy’n anabl neu sydd ag anghenion iechyd hirdymor.

Ond mae rhai yn ei chael yn anodd cydbwyso cyfrifoldebau gofalu â’u haddysg, eu bywyd cymdeithasol a’u hobïau, ac yn aml nid yw eu sefyllfa yn dod yn hysbys, sy’n golygu eu bod yn colli cymorth hanfodol.

Mae ymgyrch y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn cynnwys fideos byr o ofalwyr ifanc yn rhannu eu cyfrifoldebau, ac yn cyfeirio gwylwyr at wasanaethau cymorth.

Mae Tamanna o Abertawe yn gofalu am ei mam, gan gynnwys adeg dathliadau pwysig fel Eid al-Adha. Dywedodd Tamanna:

“Dw i’n 23 oed ac yn Brydeinwraig o dras Bangladeshaidd. Dw i, ynghyd â ‘mrodyr a’m chwiorydd, yn gofalu am fy mam sydd ag ystod o gyflyrau meddygol. Dw i ddim yn cael tâl.

Gan fy mod i’n byw gyda hi, fi yw ei phrif ofalwr. Dw i ddim yn ystyried y gwaith yn ofal, gan mai fy mam yw hi, a ‘mod i’n ei charu’n fawr ac eisiau’r gorau iddi.

Fodd bynnag, mae’n gallu mynd yn anodd pan na alla’ i gymryd amser o’r gwaith. Mae’n ymdrech, ond rydyn ni’n ymdopi drwy weithio gyda’n gilydd fel teulu. Yn nhŷ fy mam y byddwn ni’n dathlu Eid bob amser, lle mae pawb yn dod ynghyd i fwynhau amser sydd ei angen arnon ni fel teulu.

Mae hyn hefyd yn rhoi rhyw fath o hoe imi pan nad oes rhaid imi boeni bod fy mam yn mynd i gwympo neu fod angen rhywbeth arni, gan fod eraill yn y tŷ. Dyma wir ystyr Eid i ni. Mae’n amser i gofio a bod yno i’n gilydd.”

Dywedodd y Gweinidog Plant a Gofal Cymdeithasol, Dawn Bowden:

“Wrth inni nodi Wythnos Gofalwyr, mae clywed lleisiau fel Tamanna yn ein hatgoffa nad oes gwyliau oddi wrth gyfrifoldebau gofalu. Mae’r ymgyrch hon yn helpu pobl ifanc sy’n gofalu i sylweddoli eu bod yn ofalwyr, ac yn eu cysylltu â chymorth hollbwysig.

Rydyn ni am sicrhau nad yw gofalwyr ifanc yn colli cyfleoedd addysgol nac yn mynd i drafferthion o ran eu lles. Drwy weld eu hunain yn y straeon hyn, rwy’n gobeithio y bydd mwy o bobl ifanc yn estyn allan am y gefnogaeth y maen nhw’n ei haeddu.”

Ymchwil Iechyd a Gofal Cymru

Mae gwasanaeth newydd ledled y DU yn ei gwneud hi'n hawdd i bobl yng Nghymru gymryd rhan mewn ymchwil iechyd a gofal.

Mae Byddwch yn Rhan o Ymchwil yn helpu pobl i ddod o hyd i astudiaethau ymchwil gofal iechyd addas yn seiliedig ar eu diddordebau, ble maen nhw'n byw - yn ogystal â'u hoedran, eu rhyw a'u hethnigrwydd. Gall pobl gofrestru ar-lein a dewis yr amodau iechyd ar gyfer treialon yr hoffent gymryd rhan ynddynt, er enghraifft clefyd y galon a diabetes.  Yna anfonir gwybodaeth glir iddynt am gyfleoedd astudio addas iddynt trwy e-bost - gan ei gwneud hi'n haws nag erioed i ddod o hyd i ymchwil iechyd a gofal hanfodol a chymryd rhan ynddynt.

Cofrestrwch i dderbyn gwybodaeth

P'un a ydych chi’n:

• ofalwyr di-dâl sy’n byw ym Mro Morgannwg,
• neu’n weithiwr proffesiynol sy'n cefnogi gofalwyr di-dâl,

Gallwch dderbyn gwybodaeth (e-fwletinau a chylchlythyr) a fydd o ddiddordeb i chi megis hyfforddiant, digwyddiadau neu ymgyngoriadau trwy lenwi'r ffurflen ar-lein isod: