Caring can have a significant impact on both mental and physical health. A survey of carers in Wales undertaken in 2017 found that in those providing over 50 hours of care per week 59% felt their physical health had worsened as a result of caring, while 70% said that had experienced mental ill health (<a href=”https://publichealthnetwork.cymru/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Carers-UK-State-of-Caring-2017-Report.pdf”>Carers Wales, 2017</a>).

Breaks are vital for carers to avoid burn out and to be able to cope with the emotional and physical demands of providing care and support. Breaks and professional and peer support enable carers to continue their caring roles. In Wales the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) which came into force in 2016 gives carers a number of rights and places additional duties on local authorities including meeting carer’s eligible needs following a carer’s needs assessment, the provision of advice, information and assistance in place and the provision of a wider range of relevant community services and activities which carers can be signposted to.