Agency by William Gibson 
The national adult health and social care charity Making Space is looking for volunteers to help deliver its new carer support service in Cheshire East.
On 1st January, Making Space started to deliver the Cheshire East all-age carers service across the region.
The service will provide personalised emotional, practical and financial support to help relieve the pressure on people who care for others.
Qualified support workers will offer a range of resources to carers, including a telephone support line, benefits advice and guidance, statutory carer assessments, training to help with specialised care, and one-to-one support.
Making Space is now hunting for volunteers who can provide valuable assistance by helping out with activities including driving, gardening, befriending and manning the chat line.
As well as being a rewarding way to learn new skills and help within the local community, volunteers receive full training from the charity that can help to enhance their CVs and employment skills.
Jane Reeves is the manager of the service, which is delivered by Making Space on behalf of Cheshire East Council and the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board.
She said: “Our new Cheshire East all-age carers service aims to reach hidden carers all over Cheshire East – young carers, parent carers, people who care for friends and family with mental or physical health issues. Anyone who provides support to another person.
“We want to reach as many people as possible to ensure the people who deliver this vital care are able to give time and attention to their own wellbeing.
“This includes specialist support, but we’ll also be offering a very wide range of groups, activities and befriending services to ensure people don’t become isolated and are able to take part in social activities that are essential for wellbeing.”
She added: “This is where volunteers play a crucial role. We aim to support around 7,000 carers across the region, and reach 2,000 new adult carers and 400 new young carers every year. The more volunteers we have who can spare an hour or more a week, the more people we can reach.”
Carers around the area are also being invited to share their feedback on the type of support they would find valuable.
“We want to speak to carers about what they need from the service and how we can walk alongside them in their caring journey,” said Ms Reeves. “It’s very important to us at Making Space to ensure that our services are shaped around real needs, so we welcome and value all feedback from the people we support.”
Carers who would like to give feedback on the sort of services they’d like to see in their area can email jane.reeves@makingspace.co.uk.
To find out more about Making Space services in the local area, visit makingspace.co.uk.
