{"id":69800,"date":"2024-12-11T17:47:34","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T17:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=69800"},"modified":"2024-12-11T17:47:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T17:47:36","slug":"time-to-heat-things-up-and-ask-why-wales-unpaid-carers-are-left-out-in-the-cold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2024\/12\/11\/time-to-heat-things-up-and-ask-why-wales-unpaid-carers-are-left-out-in-the-cold\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to heat things up and ask why Wales&#8217; unpaid carers are left out in the cold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As energy prices continue to soar and many struggle financially, Wales\u2019 unpaid carers are finding it difficult to heat their homes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"420\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46.png\" alt=\"A man is sitting in a cold, purple-filtered room while being cared for by a family member in an AI-generated image\" class=\"wp-image-69801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46.png 730w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46-293x169.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46.png\" alt=\"A man is sitting in a cold, purple-filtered room while being cared for by a family member in an AI-generated image\" class=\"wp-image-69801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46.png 730w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-10-at-13.39.46-293x169.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Unpaid carers are facing financial pressures this winter as energy costs cause concern; AI-generated image created by Chloe Thomas &#8211; Evans <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">As we settle into winter, many of us are reaching for our thermostats to combat the chill. Yet, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/business-58090533#:~:text=The%20cap%20fell%20in%20April,electricity%20at%2024.86%20per%20kWh%20.\">price cap for energy<\/a> rising in October of this year and another increase expected in January 2025, the cost of heating a home has been a worry for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unpaid carers are some of the most concerned as they find they must maintain a certain temperature in their homes to meet the needs of those they care for. Yet, with concerns over costs, many are putting heating on the back burner and making it less of a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jake Smith, the policy and public affairs officer for Carers Wales, says many unpaid carers are currently facing \u201cacute cost-of-living pressures\u201d that make it difficult for them to heat their homes this winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Smith says unpaid carers often have higher heating bills because they must heat their home to a consistent standard to manage the symptoms of those they care for and so rising costs are especially difficult for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In October, Carers Wales published a report on the financial pressures of Welsh unpaid carers. It found 34% were cutting back on essentials like food and heating, an increase of 2% from 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also found that 64% were worried about managing financially in the future and 42% did not feel confident they would manage financially over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1152x768.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-293x195.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1152x768.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic-293x195.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-infographic.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A winter of worries<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Sophie Griffiths who is a 32-year-old unpaid carer for her grandfather with cancer says, \u201cI\u2019m limiting when I put my gas on because you have to be able to afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffiths says she turns the heating off and wraps herself in blankets to save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI kind of get by by myself,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019ve got to be strong for Nan, Bampy and Mum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffiths lives near Talgarth, but travels to see her grandfather several times a week so she can care for him while his wife goes to work. Despite taking on a carer\u2019s role part time, she is not a registered carer. The government will not allow her to claim Carer\u2019s allowance as she is now disabled following spinal surgery and receives benefits already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s sad in this day and age,\u201d she says. \u201cYou\u2019re caring for someone and they\u2019re going to penalise you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>Some days I can\u2019t get out of bed. Some days I can barely walk<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffiths says even if she could claim Carer\u2019s allowance, she would earn less money because she would no longer be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Therefore, she must take on a carer\u2019s role without financial help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffiths added that sometimes she struggles with her own health and needs, but she must set everything else aside to provide the care that the government is not providing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome days are better than other days,\u201d she says. \u201cSome days I can\u2019t get out of bed. Some days I can barely walk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Griffiths is not the only carer worried about heating costs. Gill Stafford, a 79-year-old carer from Conwy, says she is concerned about gas and electricity because they \u201chave high costs\u201d and they \u201ckeep going up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stafford is a full-time unpaid carer for her 38-year-old son Gareth. She often helps Gareth to eat, drink, and wash and dress himself. Stafford says that, despite being disabled, her son has a lot of independence, is very intelligent and has \u201ca terrific sense of humour.\u201d He holds a degree in studio recording from Glyndwr University and can communicate by mime, air writing, and devices such as computers and mobile phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stafford is fortunate to have savings, inherited money and her husband\u2019s pension so she can support herself even when rising prices concern her. She says she will not be in \u201cdesperate straits,\u201d like some carers are and she \u201cjust manages.\u201d Her son is also able to support himself as he gets benefits such as Personal Independence Payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to go for a helping hand<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>For carers seeking support, the Welsh government and carers\u2019 organisations such as Carers Wales and Credu are there to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Welsh Government spokesperson says: \u201cWe highly value the vital role unpaid carers play in our communities and are committed to ensuring support continues to be available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"866\" height=\"837\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69804\" style=\"width:416px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature.jpg 866w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-300x290.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-770x744.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-795x768.jpg 795w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-293x283.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 866px) 100vw, 866px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"866\" height=\"837\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69804\" style=\"width:416px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature.jpg 866w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-300x290.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-770x744.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-795x768.jpg 795w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/boxout-for-feature-293x283.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 866px) 100vw, 866px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have provided \u00a34.5 million for the Carers Support Fund which has delivered small grants to 17,500 unpaid carers in the last two years,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They added that: \u201cThe fund also provides financial information and advice to people to ensure they take up all their entitlements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Becky Evans, the CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carers.cymru\/\">Credu<\/a>, says her charity also provides financial information and advice by supporting carers and listening to what\u2019s important to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evans says Credu allows carers to \u201chave a voice,\u201d and gain control over the issues that affect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, Carers Wales also provides information and advice. Smith, the policy and public affairs officer, says all of their resources are available on the Carers UK website in English and Welsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carersuk.org\/help-and-advice\/financial-support\/help-with-bills-and-household-costs\/help-with-energy-costs\/\">Carers UK website<\/a> offers 16 tips to help carers save on their energy bills. The tips help carers to understand if they are eligible for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/winter-fuel-payment\">winter fuel payments<\/a> and a place on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepsr.co.uk\/\">Priority Services Register<\/a>. They also give advice on how to keep warm during the winter months so carers do not have to reach for the thermostat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, even with these tips, there is a lot more that could be done. Smith said the support is \u201cinsufficient compared to the scale of pressures,\u201d and he would like to see more support from the Westminster government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on the financial difficulties of Wales&#8217; unpaid carers watch the video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\"><blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DDcl1VJIvIO\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a 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570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DDcl1VJIvIO\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Chloe Thomas &#8211; Evans \ud83e\udd0d (@chloe.the.journo)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As energy prices continue to soar and many struggle financially, Wales\u2019s unpaid carers are finding it difficult to heat their homes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1200,"featured_media":69801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,7936],"tags":[8209,8208,8210,8207],"coauthors":[8069],"class_list":["post-69800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-public-life","tag-energy-prices","tag-finances","tag-heating-costs","tag-unpaid-carers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Time to heat things up and ask why carers are left out in the cold<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As energy prices continue to soar and many struggle financially, Wales\u2019s unpaid carers are finding it 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