Charity says families caring for loved ones at the end of life are being left without the support they urgently need

UNPAID carers across Wales are being pushed to breaking point, Marie Curie has warned, as fresh scrutiny from the Senedd piles pressure on the next Welsh Government to deliver urgent change.

The end of life charity has backed a new report from the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee, which highlights the immense pressures facing unpaid carers and calls for major improvements in the support available to them.

Marie Curie said the findings reflect what it hears repeatedly from families caring for dying relatives behind closed doors, often with little training, limited respite and nowhere near enough practical help.

Natasha Davies, Marie Curie Cymru’s Senior Policy Manager, said: “Marie Curie welcomes today’s report highlighting the immense challenges that unpaid carers throughout Wales continue to face. We add our voice to calls for the incoming Welsh Government to make the recommended changes, to significantly improve the support that unpaid carers can access.

“While the report does not specifically reference the needs and experiences of end of life unpaid carers, in our evidence to the inquiry we highlighted how this group have distinct needs and experiences.

“The support available to them has to be responsive to this, which is why, as a leading end of life charity, Marie Curie continues to call for the development of training in the essential skills needed to care for someone at the end of life.

“A system that is overly reliant on unpaid care is far from ideal and must change. But for as long as this is our reality, we must ensure that unpaid end of life carers are supported far better than they currently are.”

The committee’s report paints a stark picture of life for carers in Wales, with concerns over poor access to respite care, inconsistent assessments and the growing toll caring responsibilities can take on mental health, finances and family life.

Marie Curie said that for those supporting someone at the end of their life, the pressure can be even more intense. The charity argues that end of life carers have distinct needs, but these are too often overlooked in wider policy discussions.

It says carers in these situations need better access to training, clearer support from professionals, and a system that recognises just how demanding and distressing this role can be.

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “We have long been the voice championing unpaid carers, and this report confirms what carers across Wales have been telling us for years, they are at breaking point and being badly let down.

“It is unacceptable that hundreds of thousands are propping up our care system while so few receive even the most basic support. No one should have to fight or beg for help after dedicating their lives to caring for others.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats would treat this as an urgent priority, delivering proper respite care, faster assessments and real financial support so carers are no longer taken for granted.”

The intervention adds to growing calls for unpaid carers to receive greater recognition and more meaningful help, rather than being left to prop up a system under severe strain.

With Senedd elections on the horizon and a new Welsh Government strategy on unpaid carers under discussion, the issue is likely to become an increasingly sharp political test in the months ahead.

HOMELESSNESS in Wales remains at worrying levels despite a small drop in official figures, according to charity Crisis.

New Welsh Government data published on Thursday (Apr 2) shows that 6,426 households were living in temporary accommodation on September 30, 2025 — a one per cent fall on the same point last year, but still the third highest figure on record.

The statistics, covering the period from April to September 2025, also show that just over a third of households in temporary accommodation were being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation. That figure fell from 41 per cent to 35 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier.

During the six-month period, 3,645 households were threatened with homelessness, down 10 per cent on the previous year. In 58 per cent of those cases, homelessness was successfully prevented for at least six months, compared with 56 per cent the year before.

A further 5,556 households were assessed as homeless and owed a duty to help secure accommodation, a drop of 14 per cent. Of those, 28 per cent were successfully helped to secure accommodation, compared with 25 per cent last year.

Crisis said the figures do not capture the full scale of the problem, warning that many people experiencing hidden homelessness are not included in council records.

Ahead of the Senedd election in May, the charity is calling on all political parties in Wales to make ending homelessness a priority.

Crisis said the recently passed Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations (Wales) Act, which received cross-party backing in the Senedd, could help reduce homelessness in future. However, it warned that the next Welsh Government would need to back the new law with proper investment and a clear plan for delivery.

Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy and Communications at Crisis in Wales, said: “While today’s statistics show a welcome decrease in the numbers of people experiencing homelessness, this is certainly no time for complacency.

“The picture in Wales remains deeply troubling as thousands of people are still living in instability, with the numbers of people living in temporary accommodation being the third highest on record.

“Behind these numbers are families and individuals stuck for months in temporary accommodation, often without basic cooking or washing facilities, unsure when they will have a stable place to call home.

“Through our services, we see every day the impact homelessness has on people’s lives, including their physical and mental health. No one should have to experience long-term trauma because of insecure housing.

“With housing services across the country struggling with continuously high caseloads, we need the next Welsh Government to commit to ending homelessness for good.”

She added that the new homelessness law offered hope, but said meaningful change would depend on firm commitments after the election.

“We must see a clear plan to end homelessness, investment in actioning the new homelessness law, and building the social homes we so desperately need,” she said.

“With the right action and political will, we can build a future where everyone in Wales has a safe, secure place to call home.”

Community comes together for ‘Light up a Life’ event in support of Paul Sartori Foundation

A REMEMBRANCE concert in Tenby has raised more than £4,000 to support hospice care across Pembrokeshire.

The Paul Sartori Foundation has thanked the local community following its Light up a Life 2026 concert, which raised £4,044.42.

Held at St Mary’s Church at the end of January, the event brought together families, friends and supporters for an evening of reflection and remembrance. Candlelight, readings and music created a peaceful setting for people to honour loved ones and celebrate lives that continue to be cherished.

The charity expressed its gratitude to everyone who contributed to the evening, including those who attended and donated, as well as the volunteers and performers who gave their time.

The concert featured performances from the Paul Sartori Community Choir, who were joined for the first time by Cor Dyfed Choir. Soloists Julie Conybeare and Margaret Blackledge also performed, helping to create what organisers described as a warm and uplifting atmosphere. Members of staff from the Foundation gave readings in both English and Welsh.

Joanne Lutwyche, Event and Fundraising Officer at the Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Reverend Stephen Brett, Margaret Peak and the whole church community at St Mary’s for welcoming us so warmly to Tenby.

“Our sincere thanks also go to all the musicians, our wonderful volunteers, and the Paul Sartori staff who worked behind the scenes to make the evening run so smoothly. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended and supported Light up a Life 2026. It was a truly special evening, and the kindness shown by the Tenby community means so much to us.”

The Foundation said the event demonstrated the strength of community support for local hospice care.

The funds raised will help provide specialist end-of-life care and support for people living with life-limiting illness, as well as their families, across Pembrokeshire.

For more information, visit: www.paulsartori.org