Hannah Blythyn MS has welcomed the launch of a Welsh Government consultation on a new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers, describing it as a vital step towards giving carers the recognition, support and voice they deserve.

The consultation sets out the Welsh Government’s ambition for Wales to become a ‘Carer Aware’ nation – where unpaid carers are identified earlier, supported better, and treated as equal partners in care.

Speaking about the consultation, Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“For too long, unpaid carers have been the hidden backbone of our communities, often putting their own health, work and wellbeing second to support someone they love.

I have raised in the Senedd the need to recognise carers earlier, improve access to respite, and ensure their voices are properly heard. This strategy is a real opportunity to turn those words into action, and I urge carers and families across North Wales to have their say.”

The draft strategy sets out a vision for Wales to become a “Carer Aware” nation, embedding carer recognition and support across public services and communities. It aims to ensure unpaid carers are identified early and provided with timely information, resources, and opportunities to support their own wellbeing. The strategy also promotes the involvement of carers as partners in care and discharge planning.

The strategy is ambitious in its scope and reflects the scale of the challenges facing unpaid carers. Improving consistent access to information, advice, and assistance at the earliest opportunity has been identified as a key national priority. For carers with more complex support needs, a Ministerial Advisory Group is overseeing an action plan to strengthen carers’ needs assessments and develop meaningful support plans where appropriate.

In addition, the draft strategy addresses the needs of young carers, with a focus on preventing excessive caring responsibilities that may negatively affect their social and emotional development and educational outcomes.

The draft strategy has been informed by extensive engagement with unpaid carers and representative organisations. The public consultation is intended to ensure that the final strategy reflects the experiences and views of carers and support organisations from across Wales.

Hannah Blythyn MS added:

“I regularly hear from carers who feel exhausted, overlooked and unsure where to turn for help. Becoming a truly ‘Carer Aware’ nation means listening to those lived experiences and designing services around them. This consultation is a chance for carers to shape the future of support in Wales, and I strongly encourage everyone affected to take part.”

The final National Strategy for Unpaid Carers is expected to be published as soon as possible following the Senedd elections in May.

The public consultation will run from Monday 2nd February to Monday 13th April 2026. Full details of the consultation and the draft strategy are available on the Welsh Government website. People can share their views at: https://www.gov.wales/draft-national-strategy-unpaid-carers-2026