The vital contribution made by Personal Assistants to people and families across Rhondda Cynon Taf is being celebrated as part of National Personal Assistant Day.
Taking place on Friday, November 13, National Personal Assistant Day recognises and celebrates the people who provide personalised support, helping individuals live more independently, achieve their goals and remain connected to their families and the communities that matter to them.
Nationally, this annual campaign aims to raise the profile of the workforce and describes the role as more than a job, recognising it as a rewarding career through which people can make a direct difference to someone’s life.
Personal Assistants, often known as PAs, are employed directly by an individual who needs care or support, or by someone acting on their behalf. Where someone is eligible, Direct Payments can be used to employ a PA, giving them greater choice and control over who provides their support and how it is delivered. A PA’s work is shaped around the person’s individual needs, routines, interests and goals.
No two PA roles are the same. Depending on the person they support, a PA’s role could include helping with daily routines and personal care, facilitating access to education or employment, attending appointments, pursuing hobbies, going out into the community or maintaining relationships and family life.
To mark National Personal Assistant Day, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is sharing the story of Garran and his long-standing PA, Tracy.
Tracy first began helping Garran and his family as a friend. In January 2012, Direct Payments enabled her to take on a paid PA role.
Almost 20 years after she first began supporting the family, Tracy remains an important part of Garran’s life. She supports him with his day-to-day needs and enables him to enjoy the activities that matter to him, including music, concerts, days out and family holidays.
In a new video produced for National Personal Assistant Day, Tracy said: “We have so much fun as well. It’s not serious all the time… It’s more like looking after him rather than a job.”
Garran’s mother, Jayne, explains that choosing Personal Assistants whom the family already knew and trusted was particularly important because Garran is non-verbal and has significant support needs.
Jayne said: “[It has made] a massive difference for us… Having Tracy on board to drive the van [is] how Garran goes about, he gets out and about. Even as far as holidays, if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have a family holiday.”
Trust and consistency are central to the arrangement. Having worked with Garran for many years, Tracy understands his routines and individual needs, while open communication and confidence between Tracy and the family help the support work effectively and relieve some of the day-to-day pressure on Jayne and the wider family.
The film also highlights the considerable responsibility PAs can take on behind the scenes, from personal care and supporting families through difficult periods to responding in an emergency.
Jayne describes how Tracy helped to save Garran’s life when he experienced a cardiac arrest, performing CPR while a defibrillator was collected from the village. Following the incident, Tracy and the family helped to raise approximately £1,700 in two weeks to secure a community defibrillator for their street, benefiting the wider community as well as Garran.
Reflecting on the role PAs play, Jayne added: “PAs go through a lot if they’re that close and they’re that caring and that good. They go through the emotions that we’ve gone through… They definitely deserve the recognition.”
Hear from Tracy and Jayne about the important role of Personal Assistants:
Councillor Gareth Caple, Cabinet Member for Social Care, said: “National Personal Assistant Day is an important opportunity to recognise and thank the PAs who make a positive difference to people and families throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“As Garran’s story shows, this is a varied and responsible role built around the individual. PAs can help people participate in their communities, maintain relationships, enjoy the activities that matter to them and exercise greater choice over their daily lives.
“Direct Payments can give eligible residents greater control over how their assessed care and support needs are met, including the option to employ a Personal Assistant. I would encourage anyone who thinks this approach could work for them or their family to speak to their social care practitioner or contact the Direct Payments team to find out more.
“On National Personal Assistant Day, I would like to thank Tracy and all the PAs across Rhondda Cynon Taf for the commitment, skills and compassion they bring to their roles. Their work may not always be visible, but the difference they make to individuals and families can be life-changing.”
About National Personal Assistant Day
National Personal Assistant Day (PA Day) takes place each year on November 13 and was created to recognise, celebrate and promote the contribution Personal Assistants make to people’s lives and communities.
Find out more about National Personal Assistant Day.
Direct Payments in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Direct Payments are cash payments provided in place of services that the Council has assessed an individual, carer or family as needing. They are designed to give the individual, or someone acting on their behalf, greater choice and control over how those care and support needs are met.
The payments can be used to employ a Personal Assistant or to purchase support from a registered care agency, in line with the outcomes identified in a person’s care and support plan. The arrangement can make it possible to recruit someone whose experience, values and personality are suited to the individual, helping to create consistent and trusted support.
People receiving Direct Payments take responsibility for managing their care arrangements on a day-to-day basis, but support with these responsibilities is available. The Dewis Centre for Independent Living provides information, advice, training and practical support to people who use, or are considering using, Direct Payments.
Residents interested in Direct Payments can speak to their social care practitioner or contact the Council’s Direct Payments teams:
- Direct Payments for Adults: 01443 425 003
- Direct Payments for Children: 01443 425 006
- Dewis Centre for Independent Living: 01443 827 930 or info@dewiscil.org.uk
Find out more about Direct Payments in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Posted on 13/11/2026