If you provide unpaid care to people who live in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, you are now entitled to free personal protective equipment (PPE).

Unpaid care can include a range of activities including washing, dressing or help with eating and drinking, as well as support with laundry, cooking, shopping and cleaning.

The boxes of PPE are available to anyone who meets the criteria listed above. They include: hand sanitiser, three boxes of face masks, three boxes of disposable gloves, disposable aprons and reusable visors.

The boxes can now be collected from one of four points, at any time during opening hours. Registration is not required but people are asked to call ahead the day before they visit and bring appropriate ID (a Carers Card if available, but another form of ID can be used). The collection points are:

Boscombe Connect, 2a Owls Road, Bournemouth, BH5 1AA (8am-4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 452755; Parkstone Connect, Croft Road, BH12 3LD (8.45am-4.30pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 721590; Christchurch Connect, Loring Road, BH23 2GZ (9am-4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 486114; Moordown Plus, 1005 Wimborne Road, BH9 2BS (8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday) – 01202 454749

If you are unable to get to one of the collection points, please call BCP Council on 07827 246167 or 01202 093880 to request delivery.

Cllr Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care at BCP Council said, “Many people have taken on new caring responsibilities over the pandemic, so I would urge anyone who provides unpaid care to a friend or family member to take advantage of the support available through our carers service, including free PPE to keep you and those you care for safe.”

More support is also available for anyone who provides unpaid care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole through the Carers Resource and Information Service (CRISP). The service is free and available for all ages, all year round, to anyone who looks after a loved one. It provides ongoing support and information, and access to a friendly community of other local unpaid carers. Email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or call 01202 128787 to sign up or visit: www.crispweb.org to find out more.