THE hand of friendship has been extended to a band of unsung ethnic minority carers in Bury.

A £25,500 befriending scheme to provide support for the carers has been launched at the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Bury.

Among the guests at the event was the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev David Gillett

The three year service has now been made possible thanks to cash provided by Lloyds TSB and the Church Urban Fund. Lloyds TSB has provided a one-off grant of £18,000 while the Church Urban Fund is giving £7,500 each year for the next three years.

Thanks to the scheme, volunteers from the community will be recruited to become "friends". Personal development plans will be put in place to enhance their education, qualifications and employment prospects.

The befriending service will benefit people who may be isolated through illness or are housebound. Regular weekly visits from the volunteers will give their carers a much needed break.

Responsible for the recruitment, support and placement of volunteers is Ms Nabeela Ali, the carers/volunteers officer.

She said: "All carers have the right to practical support, to make informed choices and to be enabled to continue caring if that is what they wish."

Jinnah Day Care Centre chairman, Dr Mohammed Salim, commented: "This is an excellent project which will benefit residents of Bury".

Centre manager Mr Jawaid Iqbal added: "Social inclusion is about enabling everyone to have access to resources and services based on need, thus ensuring full participation in the community."