UNPAID carers from across the district have been learning more about their rights.

A workshop has been staged at Keighley College, by Carers’ Resource.

The session was led by Ramzi Suleima, policy and campaigns officer with national charity the Carers Trust.

He spoke about the Care Act, which includes the right for carers to have an assessment for their own health and wellbeing.

And he outlined how to promote campaigns and who to approach for support, such as councillors, MPs, relevant charities and community groups.

The workshop was attended by carers from as far afield as Austwick and Knaresborough.

Issues raised during the session included a lack of clarity over care assessments, a need for more respite for carers and concerns over mental health conditions being ignored or taken less seriously than physical needs.

Among the attendees was Christine Chapman, 59, from Riddlesden.

She cares for her mum, who has dementia.

“I attended the workshop because I felt passionate about care for both my mum and carers,” she said.

“I now want to support people who are carers, or those who aren’t in that position yet but need to know where to get help if they do find themselves in that situation.”

Also present was Rosie Fisher, from Skipton.

The 34-year-old cares for her daughter, who has complex needs.

“I just went along to find out more about campaigning for carers’ rights and to be more informed – which I am now,” she said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and I feel much more confident in sharing with others and campaigning for the rights of carers.”

Carers’ Resource supports 16,000 unpaid carers across the Bradford district, as well as in the Harrogate and Skipton areas.

Provision includes one-to-one help, information, support groups, employment and training advice, planning for emergencies and maintaining wellbeing.

The charity also hosts a forum for carers every three months, at which people can have their say.

Laura Bennett, head of policy and public affairs at the Carers Trust, said the organisation was delighted to be involved in the workshop.

She added: “It was great to see so many unpaid carers there, coming together to share their stories and take the first steps towards planning local campaigns on the issues that matter to them.”

For more details about Carers’ Resource services, call 01274 449660 or visit carersresource.org/contact.