UNPAID carers in the county can turn for help and support to a county charity.

A carers strategy has been set up by Herefordshire Council to address the number of self-defined carers in the county.

The Herefordshire Health and Wellbeing survey 2011 estimated that there were 34,200 carers in Herefordshire, which is 16.5 percent of the county's population.

Sharon Pugh from Herefordshire Carers Support said she was not surprised by the number of carers.

She said: "We are not surprised at all. The focus is very often on the person with the illness. People don't tend to think about the person looking after them and the wider family.

"Whether it is a child or a spouse, mother, father or whoever. Because they are caring for family they don't identify themselves as a carer. People think a carer is a paid-for worker.

"They just sink into the role of caring without realising it. Very often I hear from carers when they are at crisis point."

But the charity wants unpaid carers to get in touch with them before that point so they can help wherever possible.

She said: "We currently provide carer services across the county to over 5,500 unpaid family carers ranging from the age of eight years to late 90s."

The charity provide trips and days out for carers.

There are also adult carers groups in Bodenham, Leominster, Bromyard, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Weobley, Kington, Ledbury, where adult carers can meet and there are often talks and activities.

Sharon said: "That is one of the things they do need. They need a few hours a week to have time to themselves. That is what we are always trying to fund."

There are also parent/carer coffee mornings where people can meet each other and have a coffee and a chat.

There is also young carers club in Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and Hereford for ages eight to 16, and a young adult carer group in Hereford for ages 16 to 25.

Herefordshire Carers Support also provides training.

Sharon said: "They are having to do the same work as a paid carer but don't get any of the training. We are passionate about making sure that they have access to that training."

This year the charity's funding from Herefordshire Council was cut from £275,000 to £137,000. Five members of staff had to be made redundant.

But she said there are still 12 members of staff and they provide all of the same services.

To find out more go to www.herefordshirecarerssupport.org or call 01432 356068