Welcome to the website for Cornwall Carers Service.

I was appointed this year to manage the development and running of the new Cornwall Carers Service. It promises to be  a rewarding job as well as presenting several challenges.

I have lived in Cornwall all my life and currently live in one of the mid Cornwall clay villages, with my wife and two children; a daughter aged 16 and a son aged 14.

My deep involvement and interest in Carers began when we moved to our current home and I became the registered carer for Ruby, a housebound pensioner who lived next door to us.  It started out just doing odd jobs for her and developed from there.  Whilst she had home help, no one was looking out for her general and financial welfare, and several times I had to intervene and ‘fight’ to ensure she continued to receive the support she needed, and retain her money.  I was the carer for Ruby for seven years who sadly passed away shortly after having to enter full time nursing care.

Before applying for this post I spent nearly 25 years with the Department for Work and Pensions, 8 of which were with the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service.  I worked closely with organisations and community groups dealing with vulnerable people within our Cornish communities to help make a difference to the quality of their lives.  Much of this work involved carers, and I also undertook home visits where I met a large number of carers and became very aware of the difficulties, issues, and rewards they share in common on a daily basis.

My current involvement with caring outside of work is still an integral part of my personal life.  I have members of my family, and close friends who have extensive caring roles.  None of them planned to become a carer which highlights the fact that at any time anyone of us may end up as a full-time carer.  I know I cannot address every carer’s issue, however I will be working hard to make sure Cornwall Carers Service is valuable to those whom it matters most.

Kelvin Yates – Cornwall Carers Service Manager