DORSET Council, along with a number of healthcare trusts and charities, is celebrating carers and the work that they do during this year's Carers Week.

Dorset HealthCare, Dorset CCG, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Carer Support Dorset, The Royal Bournemouth and Poole NHS Trusts, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council and Rethink are just some of the organisations thanking carers this week and recognising the contribution this group make on the community, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Across the UK, an estimated 6.5 million people are carers, including thousands living in Dorset. The theme of this year's Carers Week is making carers visible which was chosen as a result of the unprecedented challenges and circumstances many carers are facing during the lockdown and the recognition they deserve.

Councillor Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: "We know that carers during this time will be struggling more than ever. Even at the best of times it can be very lonely when you’re caring for someone.

"The theme of this year’s Carers Week is making carers visible and one of the easiest, simplest things you can do to recognise someone you know that’s a carer, and make them feel visible, is take the time to check in with them and ask if they are ok."

Carers Week is an annual national event taking place on June 8-14. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Cllr Laura Miller added: "If you’re a carer and need some support or advice, the best place to start is Carers Support Dorset, a not for profit service funded by the council to help carers in the Dorset area."

For more information on Carers Support Dorset, visit www.carersupportdorset.co.uk.