A SPECIAL fund has been started for residents who act as carers for loved ones.

The Carers’ Living Well fund was launched yesterday, Wednesday, and will enable people who care for others to access financial help for activities to improve their own health and wellbeing.

It is available to unpaid carers who live in the Cheshire East Council boundary and there is a maximum of one grant per household.

Cllr Liz Wardlaw, CEC cabinet member for health, said: “Many of us will become carers within our families over our lifetime, perhaps caring for our parents or our spouse.

“There are many young carers who think nothing of looking after a parent or sibling as part of their family life.

“These unpaid carers, often referred to as hidden carers, can spend up to 20 hours a week looking after a loved one, sometimes with personal care, shopping, dressing and household chores.

“The Carers’ Living Well Fund is about helping carers to enjoy a good ‘work and home life balance’, avoiding the risk of jeopardising their own health and wellbeing.

“Supporting carers to enable them to meet their own needs is a key focus for health and social care partners, including Cheshire East Council.

“Often their support goes unpaid and, without help and support for themselves, they can feel a sense of isolation and that life can be a struggle with physical and emotional demands.”

The grant is available until March 31, 2018.