Concern as carers scheme halted

A Nottinghamshire charity says dozens of people have been left without any support after funding was cut for a scheme that offers carers a break.

Those looking after elderly or disabled relatives in Broxtowe received respite care from the charity Crossroads in exchange for council funded vouchers.

But now Nottinghamshire County Council has stopped paying for the scheme.

The charity says about 50 people relied on the scheme but the council said it was underused.

This year there has been a great increase in demand for respite care services Nottinghamshire County Council

Jean Caunt, whose husband Jim has Alzheimer's and was part of the voucher scheme, said: "I get up on Wednesday's and think 'Oh good, the carer comes today'.

"It really gives me something to look forward to and gives me a break I really need."

Mel Wheeler, from the Broxtowe branch of Crossroads, said: "People like Jean are going to have to go without until the scheme can have a look at what funding we have available.

"We are a charitable organisation and we do access funding from all sorts of places but it is trying to get something that is sustainable, we don't want to set something up that is going to stop in a year."

In a statement, the council said: "In previous years, the voucher scheme has been underused, with only one in every four vouchers issued being exchanged.

"This year there has been a great increase in demand for respite care services, possibly due to the fact, that more people are now aware of their existence.

"People who were previously on the voucher scheme will now be reviewed and those with the highest need will be offered other support."