A GROUP has been launched in York to try to improve the lives of thousands of carers in the city.

To coincide with Carers’ Rights Day on Friday, City of York Council is forming a cross-party group to promote the work of carers and to improve awareness of who they are by the council and partner organisations. It also wants to ensure all carers can reach support and the vital information they need to access this.

Committee chairwoman Coun Barbara Boyce said: “Many people work very hard to support somebody else, yet they do not think of themselves as carers.

“They may be managing provision by care workers, or just helping out occasionally, but don’t realise the importance of what they are doing or the likely impact on their own lives.”

Coun Siân Wiseman said many of the thousands of carers in York were unknown to any agencies who can help them.

She said: “There is support available, but the problem can be reaching those who need it.”

Coun Tom Holvey, said: “There were over 17 thousand carers identified in York at the last census nearly ten years ago. This number is bound to be much higher now as more people become aware of the role and many more elderly people remain in their own homes with the help or friends or relatives”.

There will be an event held in the city early in the new year to which all carers as well as voluntary sector organisations will be invited to give their views.