An Oxfordshire volunteer care service is being helped support carers with a £500 donation from Localgiving ‘Magic Little Grants’.

The Oxfordshire Volunteer Befriending Service helps carers by introducing a dedicated volunteer who can give carers a regular break away from their caring duties.

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Volunteers offer carers a regular weekly or fortnightly break from their caring role by staying with the person they care for.

Elaine Gilbert, 69, who has been running the project for 21 years on her own, said: “A regular break means that a carer can for a few hours, do what most of us take for granted – be free of responsibility.

“Carers need to be supported with regular breaks to enable them to continue their 24-hour caring role.”

The donation will help cover travel expenses for volunteers and help fund advertising to attract more volunteers to give many more family carers a regular break from their 24-hour caring role.

One Carer, whose husband has Dementia, said, “I feel so much happier and able to cope with my husband now I have a regular weekly break’.

“My volunteer sits with my husband and has also become a great support to me.”

If you would like to offer two hours a week or fortnight to give a Carer a break, please contact Elaine Gilbert 07801 482408 elaine.ovbs@icloud.com

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