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Published on Monday 01 March 2021

Free personal protective equipment (PPE) is now available for all those who provide unpaid care to people living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

An unpaid carer is anyone who cares for a friend or family member who, due to a lifelong condition, illness, disability, serious injury, a mental health condition or an addiction, would not cope without their support.

Unpaid care can include a range of activities including personal care such as washing, dressing or help with eating and drinking, as well as support with laundry, cooking, shopping and cleaning.

The boxes of PPE are available to anyone who meets the criteria listed above, and include hand sanitiser, face masks, disposable gloves, disposable aprons and reusable visors.

The boxes can be collected from Monday 1 March onwards from one of four collection points, at any time during opening hours. Registration is not required but people are asked to call ahead the day before they visit and bring appropriate ID (a Carers Card if available, but another form of ID can be used). The collection points are:

  • Boscombe Connect, 2a Owls Road, Bournemouth, BH5 1AA (8am-4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 452755
  • Parkstone Connect, Croft Road, Poole, BH12 3LD (8.45am-4.30pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 721590
  • Christchurch Connect, Loring Road, Christchurch, BH23 2GZ (9am-4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 486114
  • Moordown Plus, 1005 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, BH9 2BS (8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 454749

If you are unable to get to one of the collection points, please call BCP Council on 07827 246167 or 01202 093880 to request delivery.

Councillor Karen Rampton, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care at BCP Council said: "Unpaid carers go above and beyond for their loved ones, whether they are providing personal care, helping with household chores or collecting essential supplies and shopping.

"Many people have taken on new caring responsibilities over the pandemic, so I would urge anyone who provides unpaid care to a friend or family member to take advantage of the support available through our carers service, including free PPE to keep you and those you care for safe.

"Thank you to all the carers in our community for the support and care they give – it is truly appreciated."

More support is also available for anyone who provides unpaid care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole through the Carers Resource and Information Service (CRISP). The service is free and available for all ages, all year round, to anyone who looks after a loved one. It provides ongoing support and information, and access to a friendly community of other local unpaid carers. Email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or call 01202 128787 to sign up or visit: www.crispweb.org to find out more.

Unpaid carers who help someone in another household can continue to do so under lockdown restrictions, if they are providing essential care.

Information and guidance from the Government for unpaid carers during the pandemic is available.

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