A short film about the challenges faced by carers in Wiltshire was launched last Thursday.

The film is the latest release in the Wiltshire Voices series of DVDs with the Wiltshire Council documentary following the lives of six of the region’s 47,608 carers.

Those involved met at Trowbridge Rugby Club to launch the film. Bob and Glenda Selkridge, from Calne, are featured with the documentary with a segment following their day to day lives looking after their autistic 40-year-old son Earl.

Mr Selkridge said: “It was really interesting being involved in the film and I hope it will allow people to see the different hurdles carers have to jump. Everyone’s situation is different and it is very interesting being here and meeting other carers and learning about the challenges they have.

“That duty of care and emotional challenge will never go away for carers.”

The film, which will be shown at area boards across Wiltshire, was made to help shape future policy.

A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help.

Wiltshire Councillor Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public health, hopes the DVD will help identify people in Wiltshire who may not realise they are carers and allow them to see what support is out there such as working with Carer Support Wiltshire.

He said: “This DVD delivers a powerful message which everyone should hear as many unpaid carers continue to be unseen. We hope this DVD will encourage carers to come forward and join carers’ support groups that are out there.

“We hope this will begin a wide consultation about what else needs to be done to help carers.”

This film is the 13th in the Wiltshire Voices project with the first 12 films receiving central government funding. The series, which is available to watch on the council’s website, has investigated the lives of army wives, Polish people and stroke survivors amongst other groups.

The carers video was commissioned by the council and NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group with it being co-ordinated by Carer Support Wiltshire.

To view the films visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirevoices.