A Craven-based charity is launching new schemes to help family carers.

The Carers’ Resource, based at the Broughton Hall Business Park, will extend its existing services to run the schemes under “Caring with Confidence”, a free Government-backed programme set up to improve the lives of carers and the family members and friends they look after.

Carers can attend up to seven “modules” dealing with key issues like household finances, breaks from caring, health, benefits, caring and coping.

About 400 group sessions will run across North Yorkshire and Bradford in the next two years.

The first started in Skipton on Monday.

Caring with Confidence is supported by Mike Tomlinson, who has continued the fundraising efforts of his wife, Jane, since her death in September 2007 after a long battle with cancer.

He said: “I have personal experience of caring for a loved one and it can often be isolating and difficult as you struggle to balance the needs of the person you care for with those of yourself and the family.”

Carers’ Resource gives personalised support to carers in Craven, Airedale, Harrogate and Bradford.

Anne Smyth, a director of the charity, said: “The new schemes will enable us to reach many more carers.

“They will meet others in a similar situation and learn how to get exactly what they need from health and social services professionals.

“Many carers don’t know how to begin accessing services and benefits to which they are entitled.”

For information on how to access Caring with Confidence in North Yorkshire and Bradford, contact information and development officer Anna Jackson on 01756 700888.