Support for Portsmouth carers looking after friends or relatives still available
CITY carers who look after their friends or relatives are being encouraged to use a support system during the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the Portsmouth Carers Centre in Orchard Road, Southsea, has closed due to the lockdown its services are still available.
Team members of the centre, which usually also offers drop-in sessions, will be providing advice and support over the phone or by email.
Clare Rachwal from the Carers Centre urged people to get in touch. She said: 'Many of us are feeling isolated and lonely during the lockdown and these feelings can be quite common for carers.
'Make sure you reach out and keep in contact with family and friends via the phone and internet and remember to ask for help too if you need it.'
The centre can also help to create contingency plans for individuals in case they fall ill and can no longer look after loved ones, and further advice on this is available on the Care UK website.
A Portsmouth City Council spokeswoman added: 'Carers provide a lifeline for people who need support, old and young helping them with everyday tasks and managing their daily lives.
'It's especially important during the coronavirus crisis that carers look after themselves too as they take care of some the most vulnerable in our community.'
You can contact the Carers Centre by phone on 023 9285 1864 or by email at [email protected].
Further information and advice is available at portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/coronavirus-covid-19/vulnerable-people-coronavirus-information.