People living in Peasedown St John are being given the opportunity to find out more about carers' rights, thanks to a new partnership.

The Peasedown Community Trust has teamed up with Carers UK to mark Carers' Rights Day today Thursday 26th November.

Carers UK is a national charity that provides support and advice to unpaid carers – ensuring they know what benefits are available to them, and what rights they have.

Peasedown Community Trust Chairman, Gavin Heathcote, said: "Statistics show that 6.5 million people across the UK are carers, and with loved ones now living longer it is estimated that 6,000 individuals are becoming carers every day. Caring for someone is not easy and Carers UK is there to support these individuals by listening, offering expert, advice and informing you of your rights and entitlements as a carer. And, now due to the coronavirus pandemic, the role of carers is more important than ever before."

To support carers in Peasedown, for Carer's Rights Day, the Trust is distributing free copies of Carers UK's newest information guide. The guide contains useful information on what support is available, and what benefits those caring for others might be entitled to.

Fellow Trustee, Cllr Karen Walker, added: "It is important to us to support local carers in our area and so we are helping to raise awareness of the work that carers do by giving each and everyone of them a free information guide, ensuring they are aware of their rights and entitlements, which if they are new to caring they may not even know about."

The Trust, along with Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Sarah Bevan, has a team of volunteers carrying out home deliveries to anyone who'd like a free copy of the Carers UK information guides. To order yours, email [email protected]

Copies are also available from Peasedown Community Library which re-opens on Monday 7th December at its new home at The Hive Community Centre, Bath Road, Peasedown St John (BA2 8DN). Opening days are Monday, 12pm – 2pm and Saturday 10am – 12pm

Cllr Sarah Bevan added: "So many of the enquires that Cllr Walker and I receive are from carers who are keen to find out what support is available to them. This new initiative from the Peasedown Community Trust is therefore an excellent idea. I hope lots of residents order their free information guide."