A NEW centre for people who provide unpaid care has been opened by the mayor in Bournemouth.

Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Chris Mayne, inset left, attended the opening event at the new centre, which is based in St Ambrose Cottage, Alumhurst Road, on Monday afternoon.

Staff at the service will provide support to help carers continue their caring role while looking after their own health and wellbeing.

The centre will offer advice and information, a sitting service for the person they care for as well as opportunities for short breaks and training.

The initiative is a joint project between Bournemouth and Poole councils, supported by funding from Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cllr Blair Crawford, Bournemouth council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said the council value unpaid carers and wants to do all it can to support them.

“The Carers Centre will make life easier for them and the loved-ones they support in the community,” he added.

“The right information, advice and services at the right time can make a real difference to carers own health and enable them to continue their caring role.”

The councils first agreed a joint carers strategy in 2008 and Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Poole council, said she is delighted that the partnership has resulted in this new centre.

She added: “I’m humbled by the dedication and commitment our carers in Poole give to their family and friends’ day in and day out.

“It’s so important that we, the council, support our carers to look after their own wellbeing as well as those they care for.”

The councils are encouraging those who care for their friends and relatives to join the free information service to find out about local support, events and the range of ways they can take a short break by calling the team on 01202 458204.