Unpaid carers in Richmond will benefit from an extra £250,000 to pay for breaks away from caring.

By Catriona Harvey-Jenner

An underspend of Richmond Council’s adult social care budget by £500,000 meant half the savings could be allocated to the carers’ break budget.

Councillor Nicola Urquhart, cabinet member for adult services, said the budget was for unpaid carers who lived in or cared for someone in Richmond.

She said: “Carers are able to use the money for anything that gives them a rest or time to themselves, be it an art class, yoga sessions, a spa day or even just a well needed day away from caring responsibilities.”

She praised the work of carers in the community, who often had other commitments as well as looking after the vulnerable.

She said: “Caring can be very stressful and people tend to put all their time and support into the person they are caring for, they sometimes take their own health for granted or forget to look after themselves.”

The rest of the money saved will be reinvested into adults social care initiatives, details of which are yet to be announced by the council.

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