Carers from across County Durham are being urged to share their views on how looking after someone else has affected the way they live their own life.

During October Durham County Council will be contacting carers who have been in touch with its adult, social care service in the last 12 months.

A carer is defined as someone who looks after a partner, family member or friend in need of support because of frailty, a physical or learning disability, a mental health problem, substance misuse or illness.

The council wants to improve the support provided to carers in County Durham and feels it is important to gather people’s views. In particular the council is keen to hear about the quality of life for carers and how caring for somebody may have affected it.

This is a national survey which more than 150 councils in England will be carrying out on behalf of the Department of Health.

Locally, the survey will allow the council to compare itself to other councils across the country while nationally it will feed in to a wider picture.

Results of the survey will be available on the council’s website at: www.durham.gov.uk or for more information email: usersurveys@durham.gov.uk

The council is urging anyone who receives a questionnaire to fill it out and return it as soon as possible.