Unpaid carers came together for a special event at the Dorset Museum in Dorchester.

Data recently showed there are more than 35,000 unpaid registered unpaid carers across the Dorset Council region.

The event was organised by Carer Support Dorset, an organisation commissioned by Dorset Council and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group which aims to create carer-friendly communities where carers are recognised, valued and supported.

Carer Support Dorset invited unpaid carers to thank them for everything they do and to give them the opportunity to meet other carers and support each other.

The carer celebration also provided an opportunity to update the carers on the progress to make Dorset a more carer-friendly county.

Participants took part in a number of activities, including craft and mindful activities such as one that asked them to design and colour in a bag containing everything they carry around with them daily as a result of being a carer - such as emotions, feelings and even physical items.

Carers often carry a heavy mental load, having to plan and coordinate things every day for the person they care for alongside everything else they may have to do in their own personal lives.

Poppy Connell is Operations Manager at Carer Support Dorset. She said: “Around 40 unpaid carers attended the event. It was wonderful to be able to give them the opportunity to have a few hours focusing on themselves.

"Hopefully they came away feeling positive about future initiatives in Dorset and appreciated for the work they do daily for the people they support.”

One carer said: “It was great to have something to look forward to on my calendar, somewhere to go and feel safe and valued.”

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed there were 35,505 unpaid carers in Dorset Council at the time of the 2021 Census: 10,575 of whom worked more than 50 hours each week.

Carer Support Dorset are working to improve life for all unpaid carers by listening and meeting needs, providing information to give choices, giving a voice and influence, and raising awareness.