Most health and social services professionals understand that carers play an important part in the care management of a person with an illness or disability, but there needs to be a greater recognition of the personal needs of carers. Roberta Ford gives a personal insight into the work of carers’ support centres

ALONGSIDE EVERY person who needs some form of care management at home there is a carer. The carer may be a close or distant relative, friend or neighbour. (Carers in this instance are those informal and unpaid people who care for an older person, or someone with an illness or disability).