Carers in the Bath area are to benefit from a pioneering £600,000 project to give them a break from their responsibilities.

The Bath area is one of 12 chosen across the country to benefit from a Government scheme called Get a Life which will develop new ways of providing short breaks for carers.

The funding has been secured by the Bath and North East Somerset Adult Health, Social Care and Housing Partnership and will make the area a so-called demonstrator site for the project.

The money will be spent on providing paid carers to take over the work of relatives so that they can pursue activities such as joining reading groups, follow adult education classes or take advantage of arts activities.

The Department of Health will evaluate the scheme in Bath to see if it should be rolled out across the country.

The funding will cover both the costs of hiring carers and of the activities themselves.

Carers signing up to the programme will also have access to information, support and advice.

B&NES Council's cabinet member for adult social services Cllr Vic Pritchard (Con, Chew Valley South), said: "This scheme is an exciting development and will enable the partnership to support carers better in looking after themselves and having time off. It is also an excellent example of joint working between local government, the NHS, and local organisations and charities. The success of our funding application against fierce competition shows what we can achieve when local agencies all work together."

Organisations inviolved in the scheme include Off the Record, Soundwell Music Therapy, Community Arts Therapies, Norton Radstock College, the City of Bath College, and Crossroads. Many other local groups which support carers, such as the Care Network and the Alzheimer's Society, will also be involved in promoting and developing the scheme.

Project manager Bo Novak said: "The scheme is needed because many carers are excluded from the opportunities available to other residents because of their caring responsibilities, because sessions run at inconvenient times, or simply because they feel guilty about having time for themselves.

"Sometimes, just being in a group of other carers can help them feel more relaxed and supported."

The partnership says that the involvement of carers themselves in developing, monitoring and evaluating the scheme will ensure that, as it develops, it reflects what carers want and need.

It will be open to anyone who provides regular care for someone else, such as a family member, friend or a neighbour - even if the cared-for person is not currently receiving support from social services, or is paying for their care themselves.

To find out more, contact Ben Dallimore on 01225 477054 or email ben_dallimore@bathnes.gov.uk