Covid-19 : After the lockdown

Many carers tell us they are concerned about what the post covid world will look like. We hold Zoom 'coffee meetings' for carers every Thursday at 11.00 where you can meet other carers and share ideas and views. We send a link to your mobile with details every week so please let us have your number if you are not receiving them, send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with your name and postcode

Please help us to help you - latest news and useful links

If you have any information or tips to share or wish to find out about support in your area please join us on social media and together we can help one another cope

What you told us in our short online survey

We held a survey earlier this year to seek your views on how the lockdown was affecting you

Key issues raised included problems with shopping or a carers ID card that can be used at priority shopping times. Other issues include concerns about returning to school, threats and cutbacks to services after lockdown ends and increasing mental health issues.

Although many of you though report coping well at present an increasing number of families are telling us that they are starting to struggle. Please take a few minutes to complete the above survey if you haven't done already.

A summary of findings to date can be found here.

For the coming weeks (or months) we shall not be using the office base or holding social gatherings

Instead, staff will be working from home and maintaining our online information resources on a daily basis

 If you are not already following us on twitter, facebook or instagram then perhaps you would like to join us

Our news page has regular updates and information so don't forget to have a quick look to see what you have missed

Caring is difficult and isolating enough before this crisis so we hope to keep carers in touch with one another via social media and a zoom group- visit our facebook pages to learn more

Lots of useful information on the corona virus and support or services offered can be found on the government website as well as on the Cardiff Council and the Vale Council sites

The Welsh government have compiled a list of useful information, follow this link

Thinking of setting up a small groups to support people through this crisis? If you are, have a look at our news pages for some useful information

If you have any information or tips to share or wish to find out about support in your area please join us on social media and together we can help one another cope

Above all stay safe and never forget- you are not alone!

To see our latest newsheet and details of our online coffee morning click here

Don't forget to join our zoom coffee morning at 11.00 on Thursday https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84072688045

We have a small online survey at 

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/H6AE3S/

Please take a few minutes to complete at. it will help us to flag up what support is lacking along with any other key issues

So far we have had people tell us they need help with shopping and asked how they can get some sort of priority as a carer and we have had some interesting feedback

A carers ID card can be obtained from Carers UK. If you email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. you can apply online.

A group of professionals in the health team have put together a Facebook group and website for the COVID-19 crisis where we can upload and categories the fantastic information being created by so many different groups in this crisis, and give our clients and their families the information they need and activities that will help. 

It can be found at the link below- we recommend that you check it out!

https://ldcardiff.weebly.com/

At this difficult time it is great to see that society actually DOES exist!

While many of you will want to do things to help their neighbours and the wider community, setting up a group and maintaining it can present challenges

Read on for some useful tips and guidance for small support groups

See the latest edition of the newsletter for carers, Caring Times here

To have a monthly copy sent directly to you contact the Vale of Glamorgan Council Carers office - don't forget to ask for an assessment (even if you don't think you need anything)

The Vale of Glamorgan council have posted several useful guides, tips and links to staying fit while you are stuck indoors

This months newsletter has details on current and future events along with details of how to sign up for free carers' activities over the coming months

The July newsletter can be found here

We have been conducting an online survey to seek the views and experiences of our membership

The findings so far highlight that while many are coping fairly well, some families are starting to need urgent support

Key issues highlighted include the need for some form of carers' ID when shopping, problems with GP services, social isolation and difficulties in keeping relatives healthy and active.

Many are concerned about a premature return to 'normality' and the possible lack of services and support post Covid resulting from inevitable cutbacks and economic slowdown.

Those with younger children will face difficulties when the lock-down is eased as many children have become settled into living at home and out of school routines

Latest findings can be found here.  We shall update these as and when we receive a significant number of new responses so if you feel that we are not capturing your views then please take a few minutes to complete the survey

You will doubtless have seen the sterling efforts of the GB government in developing a new 'brand' in the fight against Covid-19

The new logo and badge are a response to recognising that many carers are not NHS staff alone

How far this will address the shortcomings in support for the nations carers and nursing staff, or increase availability of PPE and tests for the virus it remains to be seen

However, in the spirit of doing our bit, the Parents' Federation is delighted to use local artist and NHS consultant, Susan White's new artwork on future publications, social media and website

We suspect that the work of Susan and her NHS colleagues in treating victims of the virus will play a much more important role in keeping people safe and saving lives than her art but we feel it looks a tad better that HMG's attempt

For the coming weeks (or months) we shall not be using the office base or holding social gatherings

Instead, staff will be working from home and maintaining our online information resources on a daily basis

If you are not already following us on twitter, facebook or instagram then perhaps you would like to

Caring is difficult and isolating enough before this crisis so we hope to keep carers in touch with one another via social media

If you have any information or tips to share or wish to find out about support in your area please join us on social media and together we can help one another cope

Above all stay safe and never forget- you are not alone!

Our friends in Learning Disability Wales have prepared some useful and easy to read information all in one place

Find a link to the guide here

Council for Disabled Children

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) has launched two new email inboxes aimed to answer questions, gather resources and share information on Coronavirus and the impact on children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

details and links can be found below - please accept our apologies for the layout

On Thursday 21st November there is a Carers Information event at the Carers Hub in Stanwell Road, Penarth

Come along for a chat and learn about the latest developments in services and support for unpaid carers over a free coffee and refreshments

On Wednesday the 20th November we are holding an information morning to highlight options available to people with a learning disability.

If your son or daughter is considering moving out of the family home or returning from an out of county college placement soon this will be of interest