A MAJOR recruitment drive is being launched across the county to attract more Home Carers. As the nation's population is living longer, more and more carers are needed and Suffolk County is launching a new campaign to attract people in to the profession.

A MAJOR recruitment drive is being launched across the county to attract more Home Carers.

As the nation's population is living longer, more and more carers are needed and Suffolk County is launching a new campaign to attract people in to the profession.

The council is joining forces with local MPs and other care providers to bid for government money to help recruitment, and to enhance and develop the job of local carers.

Partners in the bid include the Federation of Small Businesses, Anglia Care Association, Suffolk Association of Voluntary Organisations, Suffolk Partnership, Workforce Development Confederation, Job Centre Plus and Business Link.

There are 124,000 people over 65 in Suffolk, a number that increases by about 1,000 every year, as more people are living into their 80s and older.

In the past year the county council has been successful in helping over 1,000 more elderly people to live at home. It now supports over 10,000 people to stay in their own homes.

Working with independent agencies, Suffolk County Council increased the hours of home care provided last year by 11pc.

Councillor Terry Green, the county council's portfolio holder for adult care and health, said: "The consequences of disability and an ageing population are something that affects us all and it is vital we take action to help those in need.

"Whether you can pay for it or not, you will need the expert, trained staff to be there.

"I am delighted my colleagues and partners have all joined together to work on this vital area of developing the very rewarding job of caring for others.

"We will all work together to improve the status of this great job and I ask everyone who could be interested locally to consider finding out more about the opportunities available."

The need for home carers is urgent in most parts of Suffolk, and anyone interested should contact Jobcentre Plus on 01473 267800 or 01284 775555.

Jobcentre Plus will be running a series of Job Fairs in Mildenhall, Haverhill and Sudbury. For details contact the above numbers.

Are you a carer? Do you rely on a carer? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk