Carers in Wolverhampton are being invited to join in a conversation to help improve services for them and the people they look after.

The City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group is developing a new Joint All Age Carer Strategy - and the organisations want unpaid carers to help identify what's important to them.

They are holding 5 "Conversations With Carers", and are inviting anyone who is an unpaid carer for a relative or friend to take part.

The sessions will be held at the Civic Centre on Thursday 17 March at 10.30am, Tuesday 5 April at 10.30am and Thursday 7 April at 5pm, Action for Independence on Albert Road on Monday 11 April at 10.30am and EKTA Day Centre on Mander Street on Tuesday 19 April at 12.30pm.

Meanwhile Age UK Wolverhampton will be holding a Conversation with some of the older carers it supports, and Spurgeon's Young Carers will consult young people in Wolverhampton who care for someone. Young carers can also take part via Type=links;Linkid=7039;Title=Young Carer's Strategy Consultation;Target=_blank;.

Councillor Elias Mattu, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults, said: "More than 27,000 people in Wolverhampton provide unpaid care for another person. The support they offer is invaluable, often putting the needs of the person they care for before their own, and I cannot praise them highly enough.

"Many carers take on their role without thinking twice, or noticing the effect it is having on their own lives because of the close relationship they have with the person they care for. Adult carers often experience loneliness and isolation, poor health and financial hardship. Younger carers may find it harder at school.

"It's important that carers are given all the help and support they need to carry out their vital role, and I'd encourage as many of them as possible to take part in one of these Conversations, so we can understand what sort of things will improve their quality of life.

"In turn, this will help us shape our strategy and ensure services we commission have a positive impact on carers."

To book a place at one of the Conversations, carers should please call the Carer Support Team on 01902 553409.

For more details of the help available to carers in Wolverhampton, please call the Carer Support Team on 01902 553409 or visit Type=articles;Articleid=2713;Title=Adult social care;.

  • released: Wednesday 9 March, 2016