A support group for unpaid carers run by carers, in partnership with charity Carers in Hertfordshire, has celebrated its first anniversary with a special meeting and cake.

The Carers in Hertfordshire Support Hub Watford marked its first anniversary on Thursday, July 2, with a chance for carers to speak to a Carers Support Advisor and hear about Crossroads Care Hertfordshire South Helping You Care service.

Around 25 carers attended the meeting as well as guests including Watford Borough Council Chairman Councillor Kareen Hastrick and Watford Councillor Mark Watkin.

Councillor Hastrick said: "I’m a carer myself and I believe the more support that carers can get the better, as they often feel isolated. It’s wonderful the hub has reached its first anniversary."

Marijah Butcher, hub Chair, who has been caring for her husband Laurence for 12 years, said: "It was lovely to see so many carers at our hub’s first anniversary meeting.

"Carers in Herfordshire has been a great support to me with the advice and opportunities given to me. I felt I had lost my identity when I started caring as people primarily saw me as a carer, but staff at Carers in Hertfordshire asked about me and helped me feel valued again as an individual.

"I wanted to give something back and use my experience to make a difference to other carers so I got involved in the hub.

"As a group of carers supporting each other and trying to reach out to other unpaid carers so they get the help and advice they need, we bring love, sympathy and empathy. Whoever you are looking after you matter too. Please come and join us."

Alex Daar, Caring Communities Project Officer at Carers in Hertfordshire, said: "Hubs provide a space for carers to meet other people looking after a relative or friend, share views and tips, and find out what help is available locally. Carers tell us that time for themselves and meeting other carers is important to them and we hope our hubs help improve their quality of life and make their caring role easier.

"Carers within the Watford hub have been a great support in raising the profile of carers and Carers in Hertfordshire by providing talks to other local groups, supporting events such as Watford Community Day and holding a stand in ASDA during Carers Week."

The Watford Carer Support Hub is one of five that Carers in Hertfordshire has set up as part thanks to a Big Lottery Fund grant. By 2018 the charity plans to have 16 hubs in communities across the county.

The Watford hub meets the first Thursday of the month in the Community Room at Asda Supercentre, Watford, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

To learn more about Carers in Hertfordshire please visit www.carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.