CARER Support Dorset has begun an outreach project to help increase awareness of unpaid carers in Dorset’s rural communities.

The pilot project will target 16 villages across the county, in a bid to highlight that support is available to unpaid carers.

Carer Support Dorset staff will be making face-to-face visits to these villages, working with community groups and conducting local leaflet and poster drops with the intention of running future support events within these locations.

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The 16 villages which will be visited over the next six months are Alderholt, Child Okeford, Fontmell Magna, Kimmeridge, Langton Matravers, Mappowder, Marnhull, Motcombe, Pilsdon, Puddletown, Sandford Orcas, Southwell, Three Legged Cross, West Compton, Wyke Regis and Yetminster.

Chief Executive of Carer Support Dorset Judy Walker said: “Unpaid carers can often be ‘hidden’ and may not think that they are even a carer, this can be even more so where rural areas can lead to digital exclusion.

“With an estimated one in eight of the population being classed as an unpaid carer, Carer Support Dorset recognises that many rural unpaid carers have not yet been identified and could be missing out on the support the deserve.

“We would encourage any organisations located in these villages to make contact with us so we can work in partnership for the benefit of unpaid carers.”