Kidney Wales Secures £30,433.46 in Renewed Funding to Support Unpaid Carers in Wales
Kidney Wales is pleased to announce that it has secured £30,433.46 in funding for another year to continue its vital work supporting unpaid carers in Wales. This renewed financial backing will enable Kidney Wales to continue to offer activities and support through the Short Breaks Scheme.
The Short Breaks Scheme is coordinated by Carers Trust Wales and, thanks to renewed Welsh Government funding, will run for another year, until March 2026.
Following the success of the project over the past two years—with 235 wellbeing vouchers awarded to carers—Kidney Wales has secured funding for a third year to continue supporting unpaid carers of adults and children living with kidney disease.
The wellbeing vouchers can be applied for via the health care team, and are up to the value of £200 per household. Examples of vouchers that could be requested include restaurant vouchers, over night stays, spa days and cinema vouchers. We hope that these vouchers will enable respite, improve physical and mental wellbeing and help build resilience to sustain the caring responsibility.
The funding allows for 80 wellbeing vouchers to be provided, which will be available until the limit is reached / or until the end of March 2026. No cash will be given, gift cards / vouchers for chosen activities will be provided.
Kate Cubbage, Director Carers Trust Wales, says: “Unpaid carers across Wales provide invaluable care for family members, friends and loved ones, often at great personal sacrifice. We’ve heard from thousands of unpaid carers that the Short Breaks Scheme has given them their first access to a break from caring. This scheme is helping to sustain carers through some of the toughest times. The continued funding of just over £3 million distributed across Wales via Carers Trust Wales and Regional Partnership Boards will enable local carer organisations and delivery partners to reach thousands more unpaid carers with a much-needed break from caring into 2026. We are thrilled that Kidney Wales has successfully applied for funding for another year to help the carers it supports across Wales. Together, we are offering a lifeline to unpaid carers and the chance for them to gain some support and balance in their lives.”
Ross Evans Chief Executive Officer at Kidney Wales “We are delighted to receive this funding renewal, which recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting people living with kidney disease. Their dedication often goes unseen, yet they are essential to the wellbeing of kidney patients—managing complex care routines, emotional strain, and the challenges of long-term illness. This year, we’re especially pleased to open this support to all carers of both children and adults living with kidney disease. The funding provides much-needed respite, offering carers a rare opportunity to rest and recharge. It also enables us to expand our services and develop new initiatives that will improve the wellbeing of unpaid carers across the kidney community.”
Applications for the wellbeing voucher must be living in Wales and will only be accepted via their renal healthcare team. For more information on the project, contact the Kidney Wales team on [email protected] or call us on 02920 343940