Carers complete new skills course

A group of carers from Devon have successfully completed a free course to help them improve their nursing skills.

The seven participants took part in Barnstaple's first Carers Support Programme run by St John Ambulance.

The course includes basic first aid, stress management, advice on avoiding back injury and beating isolation.

There are six million carers in the UK and the unpaid work they do is worth �87bn a year to the state, according to Carers UK.

The Carers Support Programme was piloted in Dorset in 2002. It has been so successful it is now running throughout the South West.

Emma Healey, St John Ambulance's Devon community development manager, said: "Carers have spoken of their relief about being able to share their situations with others who understand, and the benefit of training in practical issues."

The course is open to anyone over 18 who is working as an unpaid carer for someone else, also over 18.

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