A SERVICE which gives carers and spouses of housebound people a break is to be rolled out through south Oxfordshire.

Volunteers are now being sought to sit with people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, or who have cancer or suffered a stroke to give their loved ones a much needed break.

The Carers Centre already runs services in the north and west of the county and has now won an Oxfordshire County Council contract for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

Among those it has helped is Malcolm Main, 69, from Chipping Norton, who has been the full time carer for his wife Barbara, 67, since she suffered a major stroke in 2006.

The retired deputy headmaster does all the cooking, washing and cleaning, as well as helping his wife to eat, drink and get dressed.

Volunteer Angela Simpson takes over the duties for two hours a week, giving Mr Main some time to himself.

He said: “Out of 168 hours a week, it means I have two hours that I can get out of the house and can do what I like in.

“Those two hours are like gold, and it gives Barbara a break from me.

“It helps her and it helps me.

“I would be fairly lost without Angela’s support at the moment.

“Those two hours are something I hang onto.”

Mrs Simpson said: “I feel I am giving something back to the community.

“However much you love the other person, when your life suddenly becomes quite difficult, you cannot do the things you have taken for granted.”

Charity co-ordinator Elaine Gilbert said: “I’m looking for responsible, reliable people that can work independently.

“We need people that are able to sit with somebody for a couple of hours without any problems, and who wants to help a carer have a break from their 24-hours-a-day role.

“They do not have to do physical care, but things like making cups of tea, having a chat, and if the person has Alzheimer’s, then maybe having the same conversation again.”

Under the county-wide initiative, carers are paired with the same regular volunteers, and are encouraged to develop a friendship so they both feel comfortable.

For information, contact Elaine Gilbert on 08457 125546.