Residents invited to help shape services for carers

7.41.21pm GMT Sat 27th Jan 2007

The borough's carers are being urged by Richmond Council to have their say in a survey which will help shape the services they receive.

The survey aims to gauge the views of the 20,000 people in the borough who look after a relative or friend who cannot manage alone due to illness, disability, mental health needs or learning disabilities.

The Council is working in partnership with the Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust (PCT) and local carer organisations to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of all carers.

Cllr Denise Carr, Cabinet Member for Adults Services, Heath and Housing, said:

"Carers play a vital role in our community, helping friends and relatives remain independent in their own home. We are committed to improving services for them and we are working with local health services and voluntary groups to make sure we achieve this goal.

"This survey will provide carers with the chance to express their views about how we can help to make the services they use better meet their needs. I urge anyone who has any experience of caring for someone to take part and have their say."

For more information or to take part in the survey, please contact the Richmond Carers Centre on 020 8744 3900 or go to www.carers.org/local/london/richm