Do you have a question about learning Disabilities or need to speak to someone about supporting a friend or relative?

You may be interested in this excellent service that aims to support families at times of need. Click here for details

The popular respite provision at Ty Robin in Barry is threatened by latest council cuts. As a result of internal wranglings between the council and the service provider running the centre, parents have had their respite hours cut with immediate effect.

A group of parents have led a campaign to reinstate their respite and were able to put their case to a meeting of the council scrutiny committee that were discussing this proposal. As a result the cuts may be held in abayance pending a further report and impact assessment but the service may still be at risk in the coming year.

Parents and the Federation stressed to the committee how essential regular respite provision is in helping carers to carry on caring. The head of childrens services, Gareth Jenkins stated how difficult and expensive it is to access respite provision across the county - surely this reinforces just how vital it is not to cut such a service to the many unpaid family carers that save the county millions each year!

We shall work with families in the coming weeks and months to press the case for ring fencing and protecting this crucial service, let us know if you are facing cutbacks in your support!! Cuts to services are inevitable but we can reign some of them in if we act now...

Contact us on 02920 227800 0r by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This years AGM was held at the Splott leisure centre in cardiff and was a great success. Members were able to learn about the past years' activities and enjoyed a presentation on progress in making more accessible loo's available across Wales. The Changing Places project has succeeded in ensuring more and better changing facilities across Wales with more on the way. Mencap Cymru's Wayne Crocker and our own executive member, Elaine Gee, explained how awful WC facilities are in most places and how the project is really making a difference.

A copy of the Annual Report can be found by clicking here.

Local carer, Cliff Hayes has campaigned for a wheelchair accessible boat to be provided for users of Cardiff Bay and has reached the 'final' of the Peoples' Millions show later this month. Log onto their website to add you support for this bid - it will be televised on ITV Wales during the week commencing 21st November.