2016 has been a difficult year for those of us in social care with budgets continuing to be squeezed, costs rising and the numbers who need social care continuing to increase with our ageing population.

But we are starting to see our message about the importance of the sector being heard more clearly by more people, from politicians to the public.

We will keep pressing the Welsh Government for better funding for social care in 2017 and we hope we will see progress next year.

In the meantime please accept my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!