County will back carers (From York Press)

County will back carers

7:40am Thursday 5th June 2008 in News By Richard Harris

A NEW DVD is being launched to give carers as much support and advice as possible.

Around 57,000 people in North Yorkshire care for a family member, partner or friend.

The DVD, which will be available at the end of June and is being made by the county council, will feature interviews with a range of carers about their experiences and will offer advice and information.

Bosses at North Yorkshire's adult and community services department are hoping that the film will reach out to the county's hidden carers - people who are caring, but don't realise that they are eligible for any help.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, the county council's deputy leader and executive member for adults and community services, said: "Being a carer is extremely demanding and carers often need support to maintain their own health and with employment and retraining issues.

"Here in North Yorkshire we are doing everything possible to reach out to carers and to give them the necessary help and advice to cope."

In addition, National Carers' Week gets under way from Monday, and the county council is also sending out a carers' roadshow to alert people to the support they are entitled to.

One way for them to get support is by signing up for the Emergency Carers Card, part of a raft of measures ratified nationally in a New Deal For Carers, which is being made available by the county council across the whole of North Yorkshire.

The intention is to reassure carers by making available short-term, home-based cover for up to 72 hours in case of an emergency such as the carer's admission to hospital, a family crisis or transport delay.

The roadshows will also give out information about other sources of support, such as the Direct Carers Grant.

The grant, which is subject to assessment, may be allocated to carers for items such as laptops, spa days or aromatherapy sessions.

One of the roadshows will be taking place in Tadcaster, next Thursday in the market square, from 9am to 3.30pm.

Aromatherapy sessions are available from 10.30am to noon and 1pm to 2.30pm.