OKEHAMPTON Carers' Group is supporting this year's carers' week (June 8 to 14) by organising an open morning.

The event, which is taking place at the Ockment Centre on Thursday June 14 at 10.30am, will be a coffee morning with information and a bring and buy stall.

Carers' week highlights the vital work done by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. This year, the theme for the week is 'Carers . . . the UK's secret service' and calls for carers to receive greater recognition for the incredible contribution they make to their families and their communities.

Along with many other events taking place across the UK, Okehampton Carers' open morning will help to support this hidden army of carers by providing information and support for local carers.

Rowena Lane from Okehampton Carers' Group said: 'Many carers in the Okehampton area suffer due to a lack of understanding about what they do – some don't even recognise themselves as carers. This has a real and negative impact on their health, finances, working and social life, and general wellbeing.

'Our open morning is one of the activities that the carers' group provides to support carers and make their lives a little easier.'

This year's carers' week is supported by the actor Sir David Jason, who cared for his girlfriend before her death from breast cancer.

Sir David said: 'Having been a carer myself, I am all too aware of the huge burden on those who are looking after a loved one and the daily struggles they face. Carers really are the unsung heroes of our society and all too often they struggle to get the recognition they deserve. I'm proud to be part of carers' week and lend my voice to the call for more support and services for carers.'

Carers' week is a partnership of ten national charities: Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson's Disease Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Vitalise and WRVS.

For more information about the events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit http://www.carersweek.org">www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.