New site helps professionals working with carers

A new website has been created to assist professionals who work with unpaid family carers. The site has been developed by the Princess Royal Trust.

The Trust is the largest provider of comprehensive support services for carers, including a network of 144 independently managed Carers’ Centres and range of services and online resources for young carers. The new website offers specialist information for people working with carers in health, education and social services.

The site, which can be found at www.carers.org/professionals covers topics ranging from respite care, days out and transport to employment, benefits and bereavement. Carole Cochrane, the chief executive of the Trust said caring could take its toll on a person’s physical and mental health and it was vital that carers were identified and supported at the earliest stage possible.

“Professionals in health, education and social care sectors are often the first point of contact for family carers and we are confident that this website will give them access to the latest information and thus be instrumental in making a difference to their lives,” she added.

The Trust currently provides information, advice and support services to almost 354,000 carers, including over 20,000 young people. It also carries out research, development and consultation, lobbies on national, regional and local policy and works in partnerships with other national organisations.