A FEW people in our society do a very special job and yet gain very little recognition for their supreme efforts.

These people are carers, and devote hours to selflessly looking after the wellbeing of loved ones, friend s or family who are unable to care for themselves. They are the forgotten gems, that at times put their own affairs on a back burner to ensure the lives of others are more comfortable and yet we forget they have needs of their own.

Droitwich Spa's Carers support group was set up around eight years ago and aims to provide an avenue of mutual support for primary carers in the home.

Reporter, Lisa Heritage spoke to the manager of the organisation, Sue Poyer to find out more....

Based in the Old Library Centre in Ombersley Street East, many people do not know about the hidden home of support and guidance open to them. Every last Thursday of each month, carers meet at the centre to discuss concerns and give guidance to other carers in the same situation as themselves.

Sue said: "We are here to put the message out that carers are not by themselves and there is help available to them." Droitwich Spa Carers help a range of people right across the board, from those caring for a disabled resident to the elderly. They have around 30 members on the mailing list, who meet intermittently, but hope with a little more publicity and a few more members, to meet on a more frequent basis.

Support group member, Bryan Field said: "Self help carers groups such as ours can be of real help here as collectively they have experienced most of the problems a new carer will face and have an answer to that particular need Caring can be a lonely existence, as the caring reduces the time for social activities and former acquaintances are unable to relate to the disabled loved one. Meeting others in a group enables one to see they are not alone."

Sue added: "We are always looking for new members." To join the group, which meets on the last Thursday of the month at 11am, contact Sue Poyer on 01905 779115.