During Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) Carer Support Wiltshire is taking the opportunity to thank their over 100 volunteers who help run vital services for unpaid carers.

Carer Support Wiltshire volunteers work in several roles, from photography and design to admin and running regular meet-ups and befriending services for carers.

Some volunteers are former carers themselves and use their knowledge and experience to helps others.

During the current pandemic, many have been supporting carers over the phone and at online carer cafes.

Lindsey Millen, volunteer recruitment and carer involvement co-ordinator said: “Volunteers show their support for us every day and, at this unprecedented time, have come forward in the community to help residents, neighbours, family, friends and essential services throughout our county.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to them all.”

As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve a volunteers’ wellbeing and helps with gaining valuable new skills and experience, as well as boosting confidence.

Volunteer Catharine Dawson, Devizes said: “I chose to volunteer for Carer Support Wiltshire because I have experience as a parent carer and – later – became wholly responsible for sorting out my elderly mother’s hospital and care needs.

“Both of these made me aware of how helpful it is to have support.

“I enjoy meeting other carers who I wouldn’t otherwise meet in a month of Sundays.

“At the support sessions, we not only often advise and commiserate with each other but also have a very good laugh.”

Susan Davies, Melksham started volunteering for Carer Support Wiltshire and now works as part of the admin team.

She said: “I found myself in a position where, due to caring responsibilities, I needed to give up working.

“I cared full time for nearly four years. There were many volunteer roles within the organisation and you can use the skills you may already have.

“This gave me an amazing opportunity to ease myself back into the workplace to try and rebuild confidence, learn new skills and interact with others.

“It was lovely to have another outlet other than home, and I was fortunate at a later stage to be offered a position as a bank employee.”

If you are interested in volunteering for Carer Support Wiltshire, you can find out more at carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer or call 0800 181 4118.