AS part of National Carers Week, a Redditch organisation has planned several events to recognise the invaluable contribution unpaid carers make and raise further awareness.

From June 6 to 12 Carers Careline, based at the Ecumenical Centre in Evesham Walk, will be running activities with the aim of improving the lives of carers and the people they care for.

This year the theme of Building Carer Friendly Communities continues highlighting that the whole community not only need to become aware of the vital role that unpaid carers have but to also take an active role in reaching out to support them.

A spokesman from Carers Careline, said: "We want the town of Redditch to recognise the invaluable contribution that the unpaid carers living in the town make and we would like our community to help us to raise awareness of the support we are able to offer, and in turn to enable us to reach out to those carers who are in need of support but do not know where to turn to."

In Redditch alone it is estimated that there are over 8,000 unpaid informal carers looking after family members and friends.

As the population ages and people live longer, more people will find themselves caring for an elderly loved one.

Carers Careline supports carers in the town through a number of ways.

The group offers a drop in service where carers can come in for an informal chat, or for help and advice; a counselling and bereavement service; a telephone support service; and carer groups offering a wide range of activities including trips out.

A carer said of the service provided by Carers Careline said: "I would certainly be lost without the support, help and care of Carers Careline."

The group will be running a number of promotional events during the week.

On Friday, June 3 members will be Asda, Redditch from 10am to 4pm.

On Tuesday, June 7 they will be at the Ecumenical Centre, on Wednesday, June 8 they will be at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, and on Thursday, June 9 they will be Sainsburys.

In addition, there is a week-long display in the town centre library.

For more information about the week or Carers Careline, call 01527 66177 or visit carerscareline.co.uk.