Carers Wales has partnered with Digital Communities Wales to offer unpaid carers four free online sessions to offer them more information on accessing services online and doing so safely.

Funded by the Welsh Government, Digital Communities Wales exists to reduce digital exclusion in Wales. Carers Wales’ latest research shows that carers are more likely to be excluded from the digital world and have to offer support to the people they care for so they can access the online world.

The four free sessions are being run through Carers Wales’ MeTime offering will be from December 2021 to January 2022 and include sessions on connecting with others, how to be safe online and thinking about health and wellbeing online.

“Giving the people of Wales the opportunity to improve their skills and confidence is key for the future. We are thrilled to be partners with Carers Wales for these digital sessions to give something back to carers.”

Laura Phillips, Training and Development Officer, Digital Communities Wales

“Loneliness and social isolation is a significant obstacle that faces many carers. In a recent study 4 in 5 carers told us that this was something that effected their day to day lives. In the modern world, it is essential to be able to use the internet to connect with friends and family and to explore hobbies and interests with like-minded people.

Carers also tell us of their responsibility to the people they care for when it comes to connecting them with society. Often a carer becomes the tech support person who enables their loved ones to access the digital world.

We are delighted to have partnered with Digital Communities Wales to be able to put on these digital learning sessions for carers. Enabling carers to reach more people and do it in a safe way is a key starting point for supporting carers to be less lonely and isolated.”

 Edward Grace, Campaigns & Communications Officer, Carers Wales

For anyone interested in joining these sessions, you can find them all here:

• 7^th December: Health and Wellbeing: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctf-mpqzsqGtNsS--QkN5R5NcX5mWHhFHR
• 14^th December: Keeping in touch: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcuurrj0vHNUW_K8GqYzLSIXVCo5ZLfhd
• 18^th January: Making and saving money: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudemuqDguGdI5JCYAsU6VGPRCR3tdA3Lv
• 26^th January: Accessibility and online safety:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqceCgrTktGN3Km1pnlG09c5rU3QCxBlHr

You can find more Me Time sessions here: https://www.carersuk.org/wales/help-and-advice/me-time

Hyfforddiant Hygyrchedd a Diogelwch Ar-lein i Ofalwyr Di-dâl yng Nghymru

Mae Gofalwyr Cymru wedi partneru â Chymunedau Digidol Cymru i gynnig pedair sesiwn ar-lein am ddim i ofalwyr di-dâl i gynnig mwy o wybodaeth iddynt am gyrchu gwasanaethau ar-lein a gwneud hynny'n ddiogel.

Wedi'i ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru, mae Cymunedau Digidol Cymru yn bodoli i leihau allgáu digidol yng Nghymru. Mae ymchwil ddiweddaraf ‘Gofalwyr Cymru’ yn dangos bod gofalwyr yn fwy tebygol o gael eu heithrio o’r byd digidol a gorfod cynnig cefnogaeth i’r bobl y maent yn gofalu amdanynt er mwyn iddynt allu cyrchu’r byd ar-lein.

Mae’r pedair sesiwn am ddim yn cael eu cynnal trwy gynnig MeTime Carers Wales ’rhwng Rhagfyr 2021 ac Ionawr 2022 ac yn cynnwys sesiynau ar gysylltu ag eraill, sut i fod yn ddiogel ar-lein a meddwl am iechyd a lles ar-lein.

“Mae rhoi cyfle i bobl Cymru wella eu sgiliau a’u hyder yn allweddol ar gyfer y dyfodol. Rydyn ni wrth ein boddau o fod yn bartneriaid gyda Gofalwyr Cymru ar gyfer y sesiynau digidol hyn i roi rhywbeth yn ôl i ofalwyr. ”

Laura Phillips, Swyddog Hyfforddi a Datblygu, Cymunedau Digidol Cymru

“Mae unigrwydd ac arwahanrwydd cymdeithasol yn rhwystr sylweddol sy'n wynebu llawer o ofalwyr. Mewn astudiaeth ddiweddar dywedodd 4 o bob 5 gofalwr wrthym fod hyn yn rhywbeth a oedd yn effeithio ar eu bywydau o ddydd i ddydd. Yn y byd modern, mae'n hanfodol gallu defnyddio'r rhyngrwyd i gysylltu â ffrindiau a theulu ac archwilio hobïau a diddordebau gyda phobl o'r un anian.

Mae gofalwyr hefyd yn dweud wrthym am eu cyfrifoldeb i'r bobl maen nhw'n gofalu amdanyn nhw o ran eu cysylltu â chymdeithas. Yn aml, mae gofalwr yn dod yn berson cymorth technoleg sy'n galluogi eu hanwyliaid i gael mynediad i'r byd digidol.

Rydym yn falch iawn ein bod wedi partneru â Chymunedau Digidol Cymru i allu cynnal y sesiynau dysgu digidol hyn ar gyfer gofalwyr. Mae galluogi gofalwyr i gyrraedd mwy o bobl a'i wneud mewn ffordd ddiogel yn fan cychwyn allweddol ar gyfer cefnogi gofalwyr i fod yn llai unig ac ynysig. "

 Edward Grace, Swyddog Ymgyrchoedd a Chyfathrebu, Gofalwyr Cymru

I unrhyw un sydd â diddordeb mewn ymuno â'r sesiynau hyn, gallwch ddod o hyd iddynt i gyd yma: https://www.carersuk.org/wales/help-and-advice/me-time