Making Space offer 'carer cards' in Barnsley

Barnsley Carers' Service will issue a 'carers' card' to unpaid carers who are nervous they may be stopped and questioned whilst carrying out their caring duties.

Tara Ramsden, service manager, says she has received many calls from carers who are nervous that they may be questioned for making multiple shopping trips each week, buying excess quantities of food staples, or for being out driving or on foot late at night.

The card looks like a traditional business card and will fit inside a purse or wallet. It features the Barnsley Carers' Service logo and contact details and reads "the person who has this card is registered with our service as an unpaid carer for a loved one".

Tara, who runs the service, has produced 2,500 of the cards and is now distributing them free of charge. They will not however be issued automatically and carers must contact the service to request one.

Tara said: "Carers are now coming under more stresses than ever and our service is doing everything it can to support them, through one-to-one telephone support and virtual social and activity groups.

"Responding to the concerns carers have shared with us, the carers' card is another way we have found to support people and to be able to take away at least one of their worries.

"Unpaid carers are invited to contact us to request a card, which will be sent out free of charge."

The service has extended its opening hours in order to support even more carers and is now taking calls from 9am-6pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday and Sunday.

Virtual coffee and chat and fitness sessions are already taking place each week to support carers who are at risk from social isolation, and 'show off your pet' and mindfulness sessions are planned over the coming weeks.

Unpaid carers in Barnsley can request a card or register for support by contacting Tara Ramsden on 01226 288 772.