Lottery cash to support area’s carers

Funding will make the whole community more aware of unpaid carers

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Carers in north east Somerset will be able to take more breaks from their caring responsibilities thanks to lottery funding.

The Carers’ Centre charity has won £298,471 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

The cash injection will be used to expand a number of projects run across B&NES to increase support for unpaid carers.

It will help with the Give us a Break programme, which includes skills courses, breaks for carers and events for carers and their families.

Courses will help carers with first aid skills, interview techniques, safe manual handling, and confidence building.

The service will also provide health checks for carers, with one to one and group support to help them improve their diet, increase exercise and understand how they can improve their health.

Money will also go into roadshows to increase awareness and understanding of the issues which the area’s 17,000 carers and their families face.

The Radstock-based charity’s chief executive Sonia Hutchison said: “Caring can be exhausting and damage people’s health if they don’t take a break and look after themselves well.

“This funding will make the whole community more aware of unpaid carers and the incredible role they play.”

Hazel Woodward, who cared for her daughter who has learning disabilities and now cares for her 94-year-old mother-in-law, said: “Carers have got to get the message that if you are kind to yourself, you will find caring easier.”

Another project receiving funding is Bath Area Play Project, which will be using £314,287 to continue to support vulnerable families and their children to build relationships through play.

Families will receive individual support, while parents will also be given the chance to attend courses emphasising the importance of play and the significance their behaviour has on the development of their children.