A CENTRE which supports people who care for relations, neighbours or friends has taken part in a national consultation project.

The Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre sent out 100 questionnaires to find out what changes have been seen since the introduction of a national strategy for carers in 1999.

The Barclays Carers Speak Out report was launched last week by the Princess Royal.

It shows that the new generation of carers are more likely to be directed to sources of information, advice and support, and to have been given information about the disability or illness of the person they care for.

There is also a greater chance they will have been offered an assessment of their needs as carers.

Bobbie Ford, manager of the Newton Aycliffe-based centre, said: "This new generation of carers only account for one-third of the total number.

"For the remaining two-thirds - those who have been caring longer - things haven't changed.

"These findings are of concern because it is clear from the research that if carers are deprived of information at the beginning of their caring role, they are likely to remain without information."

The survey shows that in the North-East, 60 per cent of carers need help to take a break; only 31 per cent thought GPs understood their roles; 45 per cent said their physical well-being had been affected and 85 per cent said their mental well-being was affected.

Mrs Ford said: "The report provides an excellent stimulus to help re-address the issue of caring and review the recommendations of the National Carers Strategy.

"We are sure this report will encourage local politicians and health professionals to remedy the remaining issues to the benefit of both them and their carers."