Part of 2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children – in the Senedd at 2:54 pm on 12 October 2016.
David Rees makes an important point, I think, that many of the volunteers who are asked to pick up the pieces when local authorities withdraw services are themselves service users, and very often carers as well. A recent example that has come to my attention is Newtown day centre, which is proposed to be closed for logistical and financial reasons, and the burden that then puts on the local volunteer workforce. So, what can the Welsh Government do to ensure that there’s a more integrated approach to the maintenance at least of some of these council-funded and council-supported centres, and also not only recruiting new volunteers, but ensuring that volunteers who are committed have respite care themselves, if you like, so that they can then continue to contribute to their society?