UNPAID carers can soon benefit from free training.

Worcestershire Association of Carers has won a contract to run training scheme funded by the Department of Health.

The Caring with Confidence course, open to anyone who looks after family or friends at home, will cover topics like accessing benefits and grants, understanding the health and social care systems, and looking after your own well-being.

Last week the Queen talked of the Government’s plans to provide free care for those with severe disabilities.

The Personal Care at Home bill, mentioned as part of the Queen’s Speech, will introduce free care for about 280,000 people in the UK deemed to have the most critical care needs. It would be the first time that people who have savings or assets will be entitled to free care from the state.

Liz Lloyd, chief officer for the Worcestershire Association of Carers, said: “We are delighted with the proposed legislation and have long been campaigning for the end of means testing of carers.”

For more information on the caring course, which is due to start in January, call Wendy Rothwell on 01905 26500.