A public consultation has been launched which will help shape future services for carers in North Yorkshire.

It is being spearheaded by North Yorkshire County Council and NHS North Yorkshire and York to review the current support for carers in the county.

There are almost six million carers in the UK - that is one in 10 people who spend a significant part of their lives providing unpaid support to a partner, family or friend suffering from illness, disability, mental ill-health or substance misuse problems.

And, it is predicted that over the next 30 years, the number of carers will increase by 3.4 million (around 60 per cent) as the population ages and children with complex disabilities live longer.

The North Yorkshire consultation, which runs until July 8, will help to develop a carers’ support strategy to meet local needs. Carers, as well as family and community members, are being asked to fill in a questionnaire (which can be downloaded from northyorks.gov.uk/carersconsultation or call Sarah Wileman on 01609 534940 for a paper copy) or attend a carers focus group. One has been organised at Soroptimists Rooms, on Otley Street, Skipton, Friday, May 18 from 12.30pm to 3pm.