A WOMAN is behind a plea to encourage carers to come forward and get support early before they reach crisis point.

Christine Robinson said that those who do not contact organisations for help until a difficulty occurs unnecessarily put themselves at risk of financial difficulties, isolation and a negative effect on their health.

Her call comes as part of a new campaign by Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service to get more people in a caring role to access their free support and advice.

Christine, 56, who lives in Belthorn, contacted the service in 2011 after her mother was diagnosed with dementia.

She said that many people were reluctant to see themselves as in need of support when they start caring for a relative.

She said: “My sister and I didn’t know where to go at first. I had just moved in with my mum but it was damaging my own health.

“I lost about two stone in a year because of the stress. The disease made her do things totally out of character that I hadn’t expected, like make her aggressive and at times it was emotionally as well as financially draining.

“Many people don’t get help when they become a carer as they want to do as much as they can to help but don’t feel they need support in doing it.

“But when I went to my GP he put me in touch with the carers service and they were a lifeline.

“I was able to meet other people in a similar position and they offered us respite. Now I am able to keep caring for my mum in a way that’s much better for all of us.

“It’s important carers don’t see approaching the service as a sign that they can’t cope. In fact contacting them sooner helps you to care for your loved one the way you want to for a lot longer.”

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service works with Blackburn Council to provide help to around 2,000 people, but its CEO Sam Morris said that according to the last census there were around 13,000 carers who have not come forward — and she expects the problem to increase as the population ages.

“Caring can be tough, and a crisis point can hit people who think that they’ve been coping well very suddenly,” she said.

“If people identify themselves to us as soon as they take on a caring role they can access support if and when they need it or even attend a social group.”