MARIA Fisher is among Britain’s increasing yet silent ‘workforce.’

According to the charity Carers Trust, there are around seven million carers in the UK - one in 10 people - and as people live longer the number is continuing to rise.

This is also leading to a growth in older carers. According to Age UK, the number of people aged 80 and over who are acting as carers has ‘rocketed.’

New estimates suggest there has been a 39 per cent rise in the number of the ‘oldest’ carers.

It is estimated by 2037 there will be nine million carers in the UK looking after a disabled or poorly family member or friend.

Many carers are forced to curtail, or sacrifice, their own careers due to their caring role and the support they give undoubtedly eases the burden on the NHS.

Maria Fisher is the main carer for her 82-year-old father, Bill Cook, and her 21-year-old son Ben, who was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and learning disabilities at the age of six. The condition affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour; he also has symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which can lead to hyperactivity.

“When Ben was born we knew there were difficulties. We saw the paediatrician until Ben started school. I always thought whatever Ben does, I will celebrate and whatever Ben doesn’t do, I won’t get neurotic about it.”

“In some ways caring for Ben has got easier as he’s got older, because when he was younger I couldn’t look away for a second and it required 24/7 care. Now he’s older he knows more about danger and I don’t have to watch him constantly, but someone does need to be with him at all times.”

As well as caring for her son, Maria provides daily support and care for her elderly father, Bill, who has issues with high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Says Maria: “I try and help by cooking him a low fat, low salt diet every day. I also take my 80 year old mum to her appointments as she has Osteoporosis. It does get to the point when I say to myself, there aren’t enough hours in the day and there aren’t enough days in the week. I recognise this is dangerous and I sometimes collapse with exhaustion having gone overboard.”

Caring is a role anybody can face - and age is no barrier. From the age of seven Kayley Gregory has been caring for her mum, who has bi-polar disorder, with the support of her grandma.

With 60,000 carers in Bradford, providing a support network to help them cope with the demands of their caring role is crucial.

One of the initiatives helping to do just that is The Carers Hub. Launched in March this year, the hub is run by the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and is based at Horton Park Health Centre in Bradford.

It is a place offering respite; somewhere they can escape their caring responsibilities for a short while and take time out for themselves and socialise with others in similar situations.

Carers can access activities such as art sessions, quizzes and games and pampering - reiki is among the well-being techniques available here.

Information sessions providing practical advice, such as how they can look after themselves, are another useful source for carers as well as the opportunity to access one-to-one support, access to professional and clinical staff and information on relevant topics and health awareness sessions.

Maria is among the 105 carers in Bradford that have accessed the hub for activity sessions and support, since it launched, and numbers are steadily rising.

“The Carer’s Hub is helping me in my caring role as it’s somewhere to go when I need a break and I’m feeling overwhelmed to share difficulties and triumphs with other carers,” says Maria.

“This is so important to me, as I’ve always believed in support groups and the power you can gain from being with like-minded people in similar situations.

“Sometimes you don’t need to say anything; there is a knowing between people, that is a support in itself and I find it quite therapeutic.”

Maria says she also finds the hub informative as well as being a place to ‘chill and share difficulties.’ “It’s great being able to offload to people who understand,” she adds.

Says Kayley: “I think it’s a great idea and is something that has been needed. The Trust’s Carers Hub will benefit many people and will definitely benefit me. It will give people the chance to have ‘me time’ because when you have caring responsibilities, it is quite difficult to put time aside for you.”