On 27 February, Ysgol Penglais was awarded the Investors in Carers Bronze Award, in recognition of their commitment to and support for carers and their families. Ysgol Penglais is the first school in Ceredigion to receive this award.
The Investors in Carers Bronze Level award is a regional partnership quality standards scheme, which is delivered through Hywel Dda University Health Board, with Ceredigion County Council and third sector partners in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
Councillor Catrin Miles, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Learning Services, Flying Start and Team Around the Family and Ceredigion’s Young People’s Champion said, “It was a real honour and huge pleasure to visit Penglais School and present their Assistant Head, Karina Shaw, with the Investors in Carers Bronze Award. Penglais is the first school to receive the Award - a great accolade for Karina and the team responsible for achieving this success. By identifying and signposting Young Carers, as well as reminding everyone of the importance of Carer awareness, each Young Carer receives the support and information they need. Young Carers can realise that they are not alone in the challenges they might face in maintaining their academic journey whilst caring and supporting for a family member at home.”
Investors in Carers was developed in Ceredigion in 2006 and since 2013 it has been an integral part of the overall West Wales Strategy for Carers. It also helps meet the needs of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the new Welsh Government national priorities for adult and young Carers.
Karina Shaw, Assistant Head-teacher and Carer Lead said, "We are delighted to be the first school in Ceredigion to be awarded the Young Carer's Bronze Award in recognition of the support provided to our Young Carers. Every pupil at Penglais has an individual story to tell, however, I am still continually inspired by our pupils who are young carers. They support not only themselves, but members of their family, sometimes in some very difficult situations. Penglais staff are fully committed to continue to work alongside our Young Carers to support them with regard to both their education and wellbeing.”
The Investors in Carers initiative was originally designed to help health facilities such as pharmacies, GP practices and hospitals focus on and improve their carer awareness and enhance the help and support they give carers. The scheme has now been developed for education settings with secondary schools and colleges.
For more information about the Investors in Carers scheme visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers or for useful advice for carers, visit: www.ceredigion.gov.uk/carers.
05/03/2018