Online forum to help carers share stories

Carers in Salford are being encouraged to share their stories as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of what life as a carer is like.
Salford City Council has set up an online forum (http://services.salford.gov.uk/forum/) where carers can talk to each other about their experiences to help create a network of support in the city.
It is being launched to coincide with this year's Carers' Week (13 - 19 June) campaign - 'The True Face of Carers'.
One person keen to tell his story is 47-year-old Mark Lloyd who is a full-time carer for his wife who has long-term health conditions.
Mark lives with his wife, Caroline, 49, in New Broughton, Salford. He has been her carer for over eight years, helping with her medication and the cooking and cleaning.
To support him as a carer, Mark has just bought a laptop with money from Salford City Council as part of a personal budgets programme.
It means he can now chat to other carers online and access a whole range of support services.
He said: "Over the last few years our lives have revolved around hospitals and health centres and with not getting out much the laptop has been a big help to us as we can chat to family abroad and friends."
Personal budgets allow carers to apply for extra financial help for things that will support them in their caring roles as well as their own personal lives.
Talking about being a carer he added: "We gave up our three bedroom house last June because it became too much to look after as well as caring for my wife.
"We moved to a ground floor, two bedroom apartment which we both really love. It's a lot easier to maintain and we're just having a wet room done so Caroline can use the shower without the bath, which will be a big help to her."
Carers also have access to support through the Salford Carers' Centre - a service commissioned by Salford City Council and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers network.
Based in The Angel Healthy Living Centre in Chapel Street, carers' support workers work with carers of all ages from as young as eight. This includes help with schooling and onto further education.
Cllr John Warmisham, Salford City Council's lead member for adult social care said: "The aim of this project is to get carers talking to each other and the more people who come forward to share their experiences, the more people can learn from it.
"Some people might not think of themselves as a carer and national Carers' Week is about showing carers the support that's out there and that their not alone."