UNPAID carers in Dorset can now get free personal protective equipment (PPE).

Dorset Council will provide free PPE for all unpaid carers to use when they are carrying out their caring duties, with a particular focus on those carers who do not live in the same household as the person they are caring for.

Unpaid care is care that is delivered by a family member or friend for those who, due to a condition, illness, disability or addiction, cannot cope without their support. It includes a range of activities such as delivering personal care, including washing, dressing and feeding, as well as help with laundry, cooking, shopping and cleaning.

Councillor Simon Gibson, lead member for care at Dorset Council, said: "It is great news that PPE has now been made available free of charge to all unpaid carers. While the roll-out of the Covid vaccines has been going well, we’re not out of the woods yet.

"We understand this is still a worrying time for many people and the use of PPE is recommended wherever possible to try and stop the spread of Covid-19. Unpaid carers do an amazing job and I am pleased that PPE has been made available for free, please do check the website to find out more."

To request PPE, call 01305 221000 or complete Dorset Council's online form which is available at bit.ly/2Ny5STT