It is 45 years since the first home improvement agency began in Wales, with the aim of supporting older people to live safely at home.
Since the establishment of the first agency in Ferndale in 1979, Care & Repair has grown into a renowned national charity, profoundly impacting the lives of older people right across Wales.
The importance of Care & Repair’s work is increasingly acknowledged for improving health outcomes and supporting independent living. In 2023 alone, Care & Repair saved the Welsh NHS around £24m due to fewer hospital admissions and ambulance callouts.
In the same year, Care & Repair delivered £21.8 million in housing repairs and improvements, completed 60,258 jobs, and helped secure £12.5 million in unclaimed benefits for older people.
Care & Repair’s services have evolved over the years. Initially focused on poor housing conditions in the valleys and rural areas, the organisation now integrates housing with health and social care in every corner of Wales. The Hospital to a Healthier Home service, delivered by Care & Repair, finally went Wales-wide in 2019 and now partners with 17 hospitals across five local Health Boards.
45 Year Timeline
To mark the anniversary, we have published a report featuring a Care & Repair timeline and a summary of the current challenges facing older people in Wales.
