A COUNCIL leader has been helping out at a support service to encourage more people to volunteer.

Maldon District Council leader Miriam Lewis and vice chairman Henry Bass were on hand to help out at Action for Family Carers’ respite service at Brickhouse Farm in Maldon.

The charity also runs several outreach groups in the district with a cooked lunch.

The respite group at Brickhouse Farm runs five days a week with a maximum of 16 places available each day.

All those who use the respite services have an unpaid carer which is a family member or friend.

There are over 180,000 unpaid carers in Essex with over 30,000 people providing care for over 50 hours per week.

Action for Family Carers respite service aims to give people – some of whom have conditions including Alzheimer’s or are recovering from a stroke - a day out in safe and enjoyable circumstances.

The charity is looking for more people to join their team.

Full training is provided and expenses are paid for.

People are needed to volunteer between 10am - 3.00pm on weekdays either full time or part time.

For more information visit www.affc.org.uk or call 03007708090.