New Information Site Launched To Improve Well-Being In Wales

A landmark new website service has been launched to help people find the information and advice they need to improve their well-being and access local support services in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Launched at the National Social Services Conference, the Dewis Cymru website is an important first for Wales – a single, clear and reliable point of access that can be used by members of the public as well as care service professionals across Wales to help support people achieve their well-being goals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new website forms part of the ongoing delivery of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act which highlights how the provision of high quality information plays a central role in helping people remain independent, manage their well-being and shape the care services they receive. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Speaking at the launch of the new website, Cllr Huw David (Bridgend), WLGA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Finding the right piece of information can be challenging and this new resource aims to cut through the confusion by offering people clear, consistent and up-to-date information and advice on their wellbeing and what care services are available in their local area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Dewis Cymru has been developed to help people across Wales find the right information when it matters most, and offers a vast array of information to help people think about the things that matter to them. Whether it’s being safe, being well, being social or advice on managing money or caring for someone, our new resource offers a single, linked up service offering tailored advice on organisations and services that can help. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The website is a real cause for celebration, and a marker of true regional and national collaboration. It is a resource that has been built in Wales, for Wales, and has involved over 800 organisations in delivering the collective aim of helping people find the information they need so they have greater choice and can take greater control of their own well-being. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“With over 30,000 ‘hits’ per month, we know that the site is already being used widely and is beginning to make a real difference. Work is ongoing to ensure it continues to evolve, while also helping our care providers get a better view on what services are in most demand in different areas of Wales. This is a great development not only for constantly improving people’s care, but in helping us plan future service delivery directly on public needs and levels of demand.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Initially developed as a collaboration between the Welsh Local Government Association, the SSIA, the Data Unit, the North Wales Single Point of Access Programme and the North Wales Information Network, Dewis Cymru has now been adopted by almost all of the local authority areas across Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​