Unpaid carers in Dorset are being shown how online tools can make everyday support easier to find, thanks to sessions led by a volunteer from Verwood.
Colin Payne joined fellow Volunteer Digital Champion Neil Barton to speak to the Stress Busters carer group at Parley Place Care Home in West Parley. The session introduced carers to Bridgit, Dorset Council’s online support service designed to help unpaid carers find advice, guidance and training.
The talk also focused on building confidence with digital skills so carers can access help safely and independently.
Bridgit has already connected more than 24,100 carers in Dorset, with over 26,200 personalised self help plans created. The platform has also been used to explore more than 90,000 support topics, including Carers Allowance, care at home and pain management.
Councillor Steve Robinson from Dorset Council said unpaid carers face “enormous challenges” and added that Volunteer Digital Champions play “a vital role in ensuring carers feel supported and informed”.
The service has identified more than £700,000 in carer benefits and helped reduce system costs since launching in June 2023.
