CARER support charites across Cumbria are celebrating the important role volunteers play in helping unpaid Carers across Cumbria.

As part of International Volunteers Day on December 5, Carer Support Cumbria are highlighting how volunteers are essential for providing services, raising funds and helping to support local unpaid Carer charities.

CEO of Eden Carers, Dr Dani Leslie said: “International Volunteers Day is an opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ to the many people who give their time to support our organisations, and inturn help support over 54,000 people who provide unpaid Carer for a family or friend.

“And it is also an opportunity for us to highlight the wide range of volunteering opportunties people can get involved in."

Craig Backhouse,  CEO of Furness Carers said: “We welcome volunteers, if they want to give two hours a months of their time or several hours a week. Every hour is so important and welcomed by our unpaid Carers.

“To become a volunteer you just have a short application form to complete, a DBS check and provide two references. We provide individual training, and we have a one-to-one session.

“Depending on the experience of the volunteer we provide the support they need to feel confident about sitting with a person who needs the care. People come to volunteering from all different routes.