Life can be a struggle for people who have to look after a relative or friend. DAVID MILLS finds out about a group which supports carers.

AN ORGANISATION which works with carers wants to reach out to people unaware of its work.

Carers Bromley, which has 22 staff members, provides support for around 3,000 adult carers and 350 young carers - some as young as four years old.

It has been supporting carers in the borough for 16 years.

Carers often look after people such as their parents or siblings who are disabled or have a mental illness. For example, a four-year-old can help an ill parent by reminding him or her to take medication.

Some carers have to provide physical care for those who are immobile and require help moving, washing and going to the toilet.

Carers Bromley, based in Chislehurst Road, Orpington, focuses on giving emotional support to carers. Chief executive Lynne Powrie said: "What carers say they want most is information, respite and a voice.

"Carers Bromley places a premium on providing these things."

The organisation places particular emphasis on helping young carers by giving them someone to listen and talk to.

Mrs Powrie said: "Young carers need support, for example those with a parent who has a mental health problem would not want to take their friends back home from school with them.

"They feel different and we help them with the difficulties this brings."

She says the biggest issue for Carers Bromley is making people aware they might be a carer. Mrs Powrie added: "Carers Bromley is keen to find people who don't know they are carers.

"A carer is someone who helps and supports a friend or relative. A lot of people don't recognise themselves as carers.

"We want to supply support to those people and urge them to contact us."

The group provides stressbusting exercises for carers as part of its respite service, by offering monthly relaxation therapy such as massages.

There is a sitters service in which a relief carer will stay with a person to let their carer have a break, go shopping or enjoy some free time.

Mrs Powrie said: "We are always eager to encourage carers to understand they need a break."

Call Carers Bromley on freefone 0800 015 7700 or visit carersbromley.org.uk

THE CHANCE TO TAKE A BREAK'

ROSEMARY Kenway looks after her husband, Patrick, 89, who fell ill in 2003.

He has kidney problems and prostate cancer and is unable to stand up.

Mrs Kenway, of Pinecrest Drive, Orpington, says the help she gets from Carers Bromley is very important and she would hate to lose it.

The 80-year-old said: "Here we have two elderly people making use of a very important service which we are lucky to have in Bromley.

"I get the chance to have a break, the chance to do things and the chance to carry on with my life.

"It lets me go away, recharge my batteries and come back refreshed."

She added: "It's a great benefit for me and it makes a great deal of difference to how one copes."