Carer Support Dorset has begun an outreach project to help increase awareness of unpaid carers in the county's rural communities.

This pilot project will target 16 villages - including Pilsdon, Puddletown and West Compton - 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.

Over the next six months, visits will be made to: Pilsdon, West Compton, Puddletown, Alderholt, Mappowder, Wyke Regis, Yetminster, Child Okeford, Fontmell Magna, Langton Matravers, Marnhull, Kimmeridge, Motcombe, Sandford Orcas, Southwell and Three Legged Cross.

Judy Walker, chief executive at Carer Support Dorset, 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 they 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."

Carer Support Dorset can be contacted on 0800 368 8349 or at [email protected]

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