New drug carer group for East Sussex

Anyone who cares for family or friends who have alcohol or drug issues will be able to attend the support group once a month in Eastbourne at the Ian Gow Memorial Health Centre in Milfoil Drive, Langney.

East Sussex County Council's Safer Communities Team, Eastbourne Downs and Weald PCT and Care for the Carers have joined forces to establish the group. The group has been formed as a result of a recommendation from a carers conference held in Hove last year.

The support group met for the first time this week (21/5) and will hold all future monthly meetings on a Monday afternoon between 2.00 and 4.00pm. Carers will be given advice and support and also signposted to other support services. Plans are also underway for a similar carer support group in Hastings later this year.

Speaking on behalf of the partners involved, Councillor Bob Tidy, Cabinet Member for Community Services at the County Council said: "For some carers this type of support may not have been available so I am very pleased that the group has been established. It will provide extremely valuable support and help for people from across the county at its base in Eastbourne.

"I would like to thank all the partners for their work to make this group a reality and I look forward to a similar initiative being established in Hastings in the autumn. "