GLOUCESTERSHIRE Carers Hub will continue supporting thousands of unpaid carers across the county after being awarded a new five-year contract.

Gloucestershire County Council has awarded the contract to PeoplePlus following a competitive procurement process, extending an arrangement which has already seen the organisation deliver the service for more than seven years.

The service, known locally as Gloucestershire Carers Hub, supports adults aged 18 and over who provide unpaid care for a family member, friend, neighbour or partner.

Around 52,000 people are estimated to be unpaid carers across Gloucestershire, supporting people who could not otherwise manage because of illness, disability, frailty, mental ill health or addiction.

Under the new contract, the hub will continue providing practical and emotional support throughout people's caring journeys.

This will include information and advice, personalised support and emergency planning, alongside carers' assessments looking at how caring responsibilities affect people's lives and wellbeing.

Carers can also receive help understanding their rights, accessing benefits and local services, developing skills and connecting with people who have similar experiences.

Support will continue to be available for young adult carers moving into adulthood and for parent carers.

The hub will also work alongside health, social care, community and voluntary organisations to improve the identification and recognition of unpaid carers.

Cllr Kate Usmar, Gloucestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adults' Support and Independence, said: "Unpaid carers make an incredible contribution to the lives of those they care for and to our communities.

"Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging.

"The Hub plays an important role in ensuring carers can access information, advice and support, while helping them feel recognised, valued and connected to others."

PeoplePlus said its ambition was to provide a modern and preventative service which reaches carers earlier, strengthens community connections and improves outcomes across Gloucestershire.