A SERVICE which supports carers in the Bradford district has been awarded a £10,000 grant to give them more breaks from their routines.

Shipley-based charity Care @ carers’ resource has been given the funding by Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust and will use it to extend its Carers Taster Session Project.

These taster session are free breaks for people from their caring role, enabling them to pursue activities, hobbies and improve their health and wellbeing.

It involves providing a trained support worker to provide up to six hours a week care, over a six-week period, to give the carer a break from their responsibilities.

Sam Dawson, head of care provision at care @ carers’ resource, said: "We are extremely delighted to have been given this funding as it means we can now offer more free breaks to carers to give them time out to take part in activities they love or just to have some time to themselves.

"Statistics suggest there are about 60,000 carers in the Bradford and Airedale district, with only a small percentage known to statutory and voluntary organisations.

"And this number is growing as we are an ageing population, people are living at home longer, and the strain of caring can easily tip over into crisis.

The package of support involves an assessment of needs, care planning and goal setting and involves all parties.

They also endeavour to match support workers with the carers and cared-fors appropriately, listening to their wishes, aspirations and hobbies.

"By connecting with carers through this project we can provide early intervention and hopefully also help to prevent a carer breakdown," Mrs Dawson said.

Russ Piper, trustee of Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust and chief executive of Sovereign Health Care said: "We are pleased to have been able to make this significant social investment to the organisation.

“It’s so important to provide support to local carers who make an enormous contribution to society.”

Mrs Dawson added: “Since the merger with Carers’ Resource in 2013 we have been able to offer a wide range of direct care support, sharing the same ethos of focusing on the needs of carers.

“And it means we are also able to make the most of the vast range of expertise, knowledge and information available through Carers’ Resource to make sure a full range of guidance is offered.”

Eligibility for the sessions is that the cared-for must be aged 18 or more, with a long-term condition, or dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, autism, learning disabilities or general frailty.

Carers must also be over 18 and live within the Bradford district.

For more information about the taster sessions contact care @ carers’ resource on 01274 588990.