Cheshire West and Chester Council are partnering with multiple organisations to provide essential support to unpaid carers.

Unpaid carers can be anyone, regardless of age, who offers unpaid care to a friend or family member experiencing illnesses, disabilities, mental health problems or addiction and requires extra assistance.

The Council commissions the Cheshire West Carer Support Service, that is delivered by Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust, OPAL, Making Space, Alzheimer’s Society, Crossroads Together, and the Neuromuscular Centre.

There is also a specific service for young carers, run by Cheshire Young Carers.

Pauline, an unpaid carer using the Carers Trust's services, said: "I’m a carer for my daughter, who is 10 years old, and sometimes you do feel isolated so it’s nice to speak to other carers in the same position."

Another unpaid carer, Dawn, shared: "Attending these sessions is sometimes the only way you can shut off.

"If you feel like sitting down or going to do something for an hour at home, you can get sidetracked or called to do something.

"If you’re out and about in the fresh air, it’s something completely different and good for you mentally."

The Council's Live Well Cheshire West website offers lots of information about additional support carers may gain through local organisations.

The All Age Carers Strategy for 2021-26 is a detailed plan to better carers' lives through several services and initiatives.

The strategy focuses on early identification of carers, particularly hidden ones, to communicate the benefits of carer assessments and underscore carers’ rights.

The plan also includes providing access to information and advice, health and wellbeing support, breaks and respite care, and financial aid.

Later this week, the Council will introduce a Carers Charter.

All organisations will have the chance to sign up to a set of principles to ensure that unpaid carers have the same opportunities as everybody else.