Mental health charity recognised for giving unpaid carers support
A BRIDGEND mental health charity has been recognised for giving unpaid carers the support they need when caring for friends or family members.
Mental Health Matters Wales recognises that carers come in all guises and they can be anyone caring, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
The independent charity is the first organisation in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board area to achieve the silver level of the Carer Friendly accreditation scheme.
The scheme, designed by Carers Trust South East Wales in collaboration with carers, aims to improve, share and recognise support for carers across a wide range of services.
Mental Health Matters Wales supports all carers, whether they be a 15-yearold girl looking after a parent with an alcohol problem, a 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer, or an 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.
Michaela Moore, director of MHM Wales, said: “I am delighted that we have achieved this award which recognises our continued commitment to supporting carers.”
To be awarded the silver accreditation, organisations must complete a self-assessment tool in addition to providing a portfolio of evidence. The portfolio is then put forward to a Carers Review Panel who either approve the accreditation or provide constructive feedback on areas for improvement.
Sian Salkeld, Carer Friendly Manager, praised MHM Wales for their efforts and said: “MHM do excellent work to support carers and are very deserving of this award.
“We are very happy to have been able to award them as the first Carer Friendly accredited service in Cwm Taf Morgannwg.”