SOUTH Lakeland Carers is an organisation set up to help some of the most generous people in our community.

These are ordinary people with needs, interests, likes and dislikes, who happen to do gruelling but unpaid work for family, friends and neighbours.

The reasons they have taken on a caring role can be many and varied, but most end up looking after somebody suffering with age, physical or mental illness, a disability or substance misuse.

So it might be surprising to hear SLC has registered on its books carers as young as six and as old as 96.

"The job carers do is phenomenal," said Benita Finch, operations manager at SLC.

"If the cared-for person doesn't get the help they need they could end up being cared for elsewhere - a residential care setting for example - much sooner than they otherwise would need to.

"Carers make sure people have a much better quality of life than they might have if the carer wasn't there."

The work of a carer can vary day-to-day but typical duties can include feeding, washing, toileting and dressing the cared-for, as well as taking care of housework and shopping, taking them to appointments, collecting prescriptions, managing their budget and providing conversation, companionship and emotional support.

Many juggle all of this with work, school and other commitments.

Those who care full-time have often given up a career, education, employment prospects or pension rights and as a result can face financial struggles into the bargain.

According to Benita, feelings of isolation and depression are all common among those who take on someone else's needs in this way.

"We're finding more and more that we are in demand," she continued.

"People are starting to recognise themselves as carers and are coming to us asking for support.

"A lot struggle with feelings of isolation and in many cases we are simply an ear for them."

She explained that SLC, based on Shap Road in Kendal, was registered as a charity in 1993, after a need was identified in South Lakeland for carer support.

It began with just 15 people on its books, and simply offered a support group for them to attend.

But recognition for the work it does has grown exponentially since then and in 2001 it was contracted by Cumbria County Council to provide an independent assessment of carers' needs.

In 2005 a full time carers' support worker was employed to liaise with social work teams in the area and raise awareness of the needs of carers.

By 2008 someone had been employed to build, maintain and develop a team of volunteers and in 2011 Cumbria NHS funding enabled the appointment of a GP carers' support worker, liaising with GP practices in South Lakeland.

It now helps around 1,300 people and offers everything from assessments and one-to-one support to relaxation therapy, counselling, away days, a lunch club, an emergency plan for if the carer becomes unavailable and specialist support for young carers.

But its work is only just beginning and it still struggles to get carers to take the first step and ask for help.

"Most carers don't identify themselves as carers," explained Benita.

"They simply see their husband or wife, mum or dad or daughter or son and think they're just doing what anybody would do.

"So the main thing is for us to get people to see that they are carers and can access a wide range of support.

"It's difficult for them because becoming a carer means a massive change in the relationship between them and that person."

This is something that Lindale carer, Ronald Dickson, can attest to, after becoming the full-time carer for his wife, Noelle.

He explained that he has had to 'swallow his pride' in accepting help from SLC.

"We've always been the ones giving," explained the former paramedic.

"It was hard accepting we needed help."

Now SLC has teamed up with doctor's surgeries across the area to help them recognise when someone might have become a carer - and might benefit from a nudge towards support.

Earlier this year the organisation ran its inaugural 'GP Practice Carer Friendly Awards', basing its results on how many referrals it received, as well as feedback from carers.

Just one surgery - Captain French in Kendal - received a gold award, while four others were given silver and one bronze.

"We appreciate how busy GPs are and that their focus is on the patient, but the carer needs help too," added Benita.

"We know they don't have the time, but we do - that's why we're here.

"We were just blown away by the response we had to the awards and we hope to replicate that again next year."

For more information about the organisation visit www.slcarers.org.uk