SWINDON Carers Centre have won a new contract to support carers in the town.

The charity confirmed that they will take on the £556,000 contract from Swindon Borough Council from January next year.

It will see Swindon Carers Centre continue to manage the young carers service, a scheme for parents looking after disabled youngsters and an adult carers service.

They will be responsible for assessing new carers’ needs – a legal requirement.

The contract also sees them charged with increasing awareness of the challenges facing carers and working with schools.

The new contract will run for five years, finishing in December 2022.

Susanna Jones, chief executive of Swindon Carers Centre, said: “Unpaid carers contribute hugely to health and social care systems and the value of their care in Swindon is estimated to be £395million per year.

“The continued health and wellbeing of carers is therefore vital and we are looking forward to working alongside carers and other partner organisations to ensure this remains a high priority over the next five years.

“We will be asking carers at our Carers Rights Day in Swindon on Friday what they would like to see in a new Carers Strategy for Swindon.”

The Carers Rights Day is at the Pilgrim Centre, Regent Circus, from 10.30am – 2.30pm, Friday, November 24. To confirm attendance, call 01793 531133.