CARERS who dedicate themselves to improving other people's well-being are being celebrated across North Yorkshire.

National Carers Week is being used by the county council to recognise the vital contribution made by the 60,000 people across the county who look after family members or friends.

In a recent survey of unpaid carers in North Yorkshire, 74 per cent of respondents said that they had increased the help they were providing and giving more emotional and practical support during the Covid pandemic.

One of these carers is Christine Holgate who looks after her mum Sheila, who has dementia but still lives at home in Thirsk.

At present she has care workers from North Yorkshire visiting three times a day because Sheila has recently been in hospital after a fall, but prior to that Christine was her mum’s sole carer, preparing meals and making visits to ensure her mum was well.

The pandemic has been a challenge, however, with Christine’s own health problems a year ago adding to the strain of caring.

Though she persevered, she believes lockdown had a negative effect.

Christine said: “I feel mum has deteriorated during lockdown, not having so much interaction.

"She stopped going to the day centre and I could not take her to the theatre or cinema.

"Not doing things, she has got worse because there is no social interaction."

In the North Yorkshire survey, carers told how important it is to for them to keep up their own mental and physical wellbeing and find time for themselves.

As a result, North Yorkshire County Council has worked with North Yorkshire Sport to produce a Carers Calendar which offers ideas and activities for each day of the week.

The calendar links to the NHS's 'five ways to wellbeing' and provides examples for carers to try, such as mindful walking, gym-free workouts or simple at-home activities for all the family.

Cllr Michael Harrison, executive member for adult social care, said: “Let’s use Carers Week this year to thank carers, to acknowledge what carers do every day and that they have an identity and are part of the community in their own right, in addition to their caring responsibilities." Visit northyorks.gov.uk for support