Bognor carers find out how to get more support

The response delighted those involved with staging the information event on the Place St Maur.

Sandra Bolton, the caring partnership manager at the town's Jobcentreplus, said: "We had one man who had moved from London to Bognor to care for his mother. He had been getting no help at all.

"He went away delighted with the advice we were able to give him. He said it was the first time he had spoken to anyone in ages. To get just one person like that makes the day worthwhile."

Her particular focus was on the recently introduced work-focused support for carers. This helps carers combine paid work with their caring role without affecting their benefits.

The event was organised by the Carers' Support Service for Regis, Chichester and Rural.

Louise Spong, an information worker for the service, said: "We've had a really positive response from the people who have been here.

"Days like this are all about reaching out to all the carers in Bognor to tell them about the help which is available. There is no need for them to struggle along on their own."

The display was supported by the Arun Wellbeing team, Inspire Leisure and Crossroads West Sussex. Arun District Council's senior members Dudley Wensley and Robin Brown also attended.

Mr Brown, the cabinet member for housing and community care, said: "We know there are hundreds of people across Arun who are carers and who probably don't even realise it.

"It's a priority for us to get more carers aware of, and signed up to, the benefits they are entitled to."

Arun chairman Mr Wensley said: "The contribution carers make to our community cannot be over-estimated.

"Yet many of them are slipping through the net and missing out on information, financial support and accessing of services."

A carer from Barnham spoke to Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert about her experience of caring for a member of her family.

Claire Smith and Mr Herbert were at an event in Chichester held by the Carers Support Service to mark carers' week. Mr Herbert said it was useful to find out more about the service's work and to chat to Claire about life as a carer.

"Carers deserve a lot of respect and admiration for what they do. They look after some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we should do whatever we can to help them."

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.