FULL-TIME carer Kim Lamming has revealed how isolating her job can be.

She spoke during National Carers Week, an initiative which aims to highlight the crucial role carers play.

Dorset County Council is running drop-in sessions this week where carers can get advice – and receive a little pampering.

Mrs Lamming attended one of the events in the run-up to the week.

She discussed issues with healthcare professionals, shared experiences with fellow carers, and was treated to a soothing massage.

Mrs Lamming, 53, of Charmouth, said the massage was ‘smashing’.

Her husband Keith, 60, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) six years ago and has gradually deteriorated so he needs constant care.

Mrs Lamming said: “Up until last year I used to work as a day carer for people with learning disabilities.

“My husband’s condition deteriorated quite dramatically last year so I had to resign from the job to look after him. It was a big change in my life and I am still adjusting.

“Although I don’t regret it, being a carer can be quite isolating and also tiring at times. I do miss my job but I want to be there for my husband and look after him.”

Mrs Lamming said the county council had assisted in various ways, including supplying a mobility car and helped with finding support groups.

She added: “My husband now attends a day centre one day a week and I am also able to get some respite care to have a break from caring duties a few weeks each year.”

Three in five people will become a carer at some point in their lives, providing unpaid care to someone they know who is ill, frail or disabled. In Dorset, 42,000 people provide care on a regular basis.

Dorset County Council says the drop-in sessions will offer advice and guidance about services and organisations that may be able to provide assistance to make carers’ lives as easy as possible.

For details of events call Help and Care on 0300 111 3303. Carers who feel they are not receiving support and are not sure what to do can contact Dorset’s Adult Access Team on 01305 221016.