CARER Support Wiltshire has announced the appointment of Catharine Hurford as its new chief executive.

Carer Support Wiltshire is a charity that offers emotional support, one-to-one advice, information and breaks to anyone aged 16 or over who is giving unpaid care to a child or adult 

Gillian Elford, chair of the board of trustees, said: “This is excellent news for CSW, as Catharine is well known to us all and is widely respected both locally and regionally.

“She will continue to build on the sterling work she has done as head of operations, deputy chief executive, and more recently as acting chief executive.”

Catharine said:  “I am thrilled to be offered this opportunity. But I am also mindful of the challenges we face in supporting carers through a period of transformation in the health and social care sector, an ageing population and standstill or reducing budgets. 

“But the need to support carers will continue to rise as a consequence of the introduction of the Care Act in April 2015.”

Currently CSW has around 40 staff and 90 volunteers supporting around 9,000 carers in the county.

If you are interested in the work of Carer Support Wiltshire or would like more information about any of the projects please contact us on 01380 871690, visit our website www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk or email us on info@carersinwiltshire.co.uk