A NEW service for carers in West Devon will be officially launched on Monday, June 10 — the beginning of National Carers' Week.

Entitled Carers' Link, the scheme covers those living within the South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust area.

A spokesperson for the scheme said it was for people who cared for family members or friends with disabilities or long-term illness, without pay.

The link has been funded by the care trust to provide carers with regular information, invitations to special events for carers and opportunities to comment on what they think about local health and social care services.

Jean Harrop, a local carer and member of the link, said nothing happened unless they had good access to relevant information.

'Also, we're so tied up with caring, we can't always say whether we can get to meetings because we can't always predict our movements. The link will give us the chance to have our say anyway,' she said.

Jean said it was a good idea for your doctor to know you are a carer, and doctors' surgeries in the area have been making a special effort to improve the number of carers identified.

Diana Eastman, Carers' Link worker, said Jean's comments reflected the experience of carers she had met while setting up and publicising the new service.

There will be an information stand outside Tavistock Town Hall on Friday, June 14, where information about joining the Link and other services for carers will be available.

Alternatively, contact Diana on 01803 862622.