PEOPLE caring for family with health problems in Tenbury and the Tame Valley can be pushed to breaking point because they do not know where they can go to get help.

To help them, there will be a special week for carers at the GP surgery in Tenbury to help people who need support but do not know where they can turn.

A large number of people living in the town and surrounding area have care needs and this is exacerbated by the higher than average proportion of older people.

Life expectancy in Worcestershire in 83.9 years for women in Worcestershire and 79.9 years for men which is above the national average.

However, healthy life expectancy is 67.2 years for woman and just over 65 years for men. This means that for the final 15 years of their lives on average people will be living with some form of physical or mental illness and in some cases will need care.

Tracey Divine, the care leader at Tenbury surgery, said that the idea is to provide information for those who have caring duties and are often unaware of the support that is available.

She said that in an area like Tenbury there are a large number of older people but that the week of activities are aimed at the whole community.

“It is not just the elderly but also for others such as people who may need support with childcare,” said Ms Devine.

During the week that begins on Monday there will be sessions every day between 9am and 11.30am.

The groups that will be attending include the Tenbury Carers and South Worcestershire Carers, specialist in different fields and the Hereford and Worcester fire service who will be offering a

“I am really hoping to get the word out to try and reach local people in order to provide help and care to the most vulnerable and cared for within our community,” added Ms Devine. The Carers Week at Tenbury Surgery is from Monday, June 10 until Friday, June 14.

It is hoped to have another series of events in the autumn.