Volunteers wanted to support carers

The call has gone out for volunteers who can provide emotional support to carers of people with drug or alcohol problems.

Manchester City Council is looking for people to join its peer support service, offering confidential and informal help to carers.

As well as providing a friendly ear, peer supporters work as a link between carers, their families, and the services that can help them. They can even accompany carers to appointments at these services.

Volunteers should have experience of dealing with drug and alcohol issues, either as an ex-service user, carer, or professional. Everyone involved will receive full training, as well as being CRB checked and fully supervised, so the role is also open to those interested in a career in social care.

One Manchester carer, who has looked after people with drug and alcohol issues for the past 17 years, and is now a peer support worker herself, welcomed the scheme.

She said: "When you support someone with drug and alcohol problems, it's very emotional and it puts you under a lot of stress.

"When you start doing this it's difficult to come to terms with it. You hear about it going on but you never think it could happen to you. You blame yourself, and it's difficult to talk to other people about it because there's so much stigma attached to it, so a lot of people can become very isolated.

"Just being able to talk to someone who knows what you're going through makes a massive difference. It's a very important scheme and I would encourage people to get involved in it."

Councillor Glynn Evans, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Adults, said: "Carers of people with substance misuse issues often find their role daunting and overwhelming, and the peer support service puts them in touch with like-minded people who know what they're going through.

"As well as providing much-needed help to people who need it, this important service also gives volunteers a sense of achievement.

"Carers save the country a great deal of money. One very good reason for supporting them is that they can be the crucial factor in getting someone who misuses substance on the road to recovery."

Anyone interested should email michelle.kennedy@manchester.gov.uk or call 07507 886618.