CARERS wanting to balance their role at home with paid employment are being given a helping hand.

Carers' Resource, established 11 years ago, covers a large area of North Yorkshire where 20,000 carers are estimated to be saving the National Health Service and local government £160m from their budgets.

The group, which has charitable status, covers the Harrogate and Craven districts of North Yorkshire, stretching from the Lancashire borders to the north Leeds boundary.

Current casebooks include people in the Ripon, Boroughbridge, Mas-ham and Pateley Bridge areas.

A dedicated team has been established to support carer-friendly job and training opportunities by working alongside trainers and employers. The team visits employers, raising awareness of recruiting and retaining carers.

The project has been funded by the Learning and Skills Council, as well as a European Social Fund.

Anne Smyth, director of Carers' Resource, said: "We reach out to hidden carers, providing support with information, advice, guidance and, if needed, assessment.

"We also work with carers who have given up work to care."

In addition the project team identifies basic training to develop tailor-made learning packages.

Jane Allison, manager of Harrogate JobCentre, said: "Caring and employment is achievable, and we can help with advice on combining benefits and work."

The Changing Lives Team can be contacted on (01423) 500555.