Celebrating our Investors in Carers Gold Award

Today, Age Cymru Dyfed joined organisations from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire to celebrate their commitment to supporting unpaid carers. Held at Parc Dewi Sant in Carmarthenshire, the celebration recognised organisations across public services, care, libraries, schools and the voluntary sector with Bronze, Silver and Gold Investors in Carers Awards. For Age Cymru Dyfed, the occasion marked an important milestone as we were presented with our Investors in Carers Gold Award, recognising our continued commitment to ensuring unpaid carers are identified, recognised and able to access the support they need.

Putting unpaid carers at the heart of our work

Five representatives from Age Cymru Dyfed attended the celebration: Chief Executive Officer Simon Wright, Trustee Caroline Streek, Ceredigion Befriending Life Links Coordinator Jonathan Cook, Befriending Life Links Project Manager Jeremy Hewitt and Pembrokeshire Befriending Life Links Coordinator Trevor Taylor.

Jonathan has played a key role in progressing our Investors in Carers work and shared our experience of supporting unpaid carers, including what we have learned since achieving our Silver Award. His presentation highlighted the importance of recognising carers at an early stage and ensuring that staff and services feel confident having conversations with them. It also demonstrated how partnership working can help carers navigate the different sources of information, advice and practical support available to them.

Supporting carers across West Wales

Our work is supported by three dedicated Carer Leads. Our Carer Leads provide direct support to unpaid carers while also working with staff and services, offering advice, guidance, resources and practical support. They help colleagues stay informed about the support available locally and encourage stronger connections between organisations so that carers can access appropriate help when they need it.

This partnership approach is central to our Investors in Carers work. By sharing knowledge and good practice, we can help create a more joined-up experience for unpaid carers and make it easier for them to find the right support.

From information and advice to friendship and digital support

During his presentation, Jonathan shared examples of how Age Cymru Dyfed's services can support unpaid carers through Digital, Befriending Life Links, and Information & Advice. These services can make a difference in different ways; from helping someone develop their digital confidence and find important information, to providing companionship and helping carers feel less isolated.

Jonathan also shared practical resources developed to support unpaid carers and the staff who work with them. These resources are designed to help with those important first conversations, identify carers' needs and make it clearer where they can be signposted or referred for further support.

Together, these examples demonstrate the importance of looking at the individual rather than simply the service they need. Sometimes a carer may need information or practical advice; at other times, having someone to talk to or connect with can be just as valuable.

Gold is a milestone, not a destination

Achieving the Investors in Carers Gold Award is something we are incredibly proud of. But for Age Cymru Dyfed, it represents more than an award: it is a commitment to continuing to improve how we recognise and support unpaid carers across West Wales.

Unpaid carers make an invaluable contribution every day, often while balancing their own responsibilities, wellbeing and lives alongside caring for someone else. Making sure they are visible, listened to and connected to support is an important part of our work.

We would also like to congratulate all the organisations recognised with Bronze and Silver Awards. Every organisation has a role to play in creating a more supportive environment for unpaid carers, and collaboration is essential to making that happen.

Our Gold Award reflects the dedication of colleagues, volunteers and partners across Age Cymru Dyfed, particularly those who continue to champion the needs of unpaid carers. Most importantly, it is a recognition of the carers themselves and of the contribution they make to the lives of the people they care for and to communities across West Wales.

We are proud to have achieved Gold, and we look forward to continuing this work as Investors in Carers Ambassadors.