Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has been hearing about the work of West Cumbria Carers as the country marks Carers Week.

The campaign, which runs this week, highlights the challenges unpaid carers face, recognised the contribution they make and promoted the help available to them.

West Cumbria Carers operates across Copeland and Allerdale and is currently helps to support 1,900 adult carers and 300 young carers, some as young as five.

It's support includes driving carers to health appointments, providing volunteers to sit with people so carers can go out, and helping them access information, advice, information and services.

The group has 122 volunteers and is also running a Championing Working Carers scheme with local employers to support people who work and also care for someone.

Andrea Carlton, a senior support worker, said: “Social isolation both for the carer and the cared for person is huge. We try to get people to come to us before their situation reaches crisis point. There’s a lot of people aged between 45-65 who are at the peak of their careers that are also in a caring role.”

Angela Longrigg, volunteer and projects coordinator, added: “We also have many ‘sandwich carers’ people who have young children and are also caring for a parent. They have no time for themselves and tend to put their own health at the bottom of the list.”

Mrs Harrison, who has experience of working as a home carer, said: “I think the work of West Cumbria Carers is vital, they offer a lifeline to so many people in our area and help them to cope in what can be very stressful situations. And the volunteers who give their time for free should be applauded.”

To mark Carers Week, the charity is holding events including Cupcakes 4 Carers on Wednesday at Lakeland Business Park, Cockermouth and a pyjama day on Friday, encouraging people to wear their pyjamas to work and raise funds.

To access support from West Cumbria Carers, offer to be a volunteer, or get involved in the Championing Working Carers project, call 01900 821976, email general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk or visit

www.westcumbriacarers.co.uk