Those who care for people with Multiple Sclerosis don't always think of themselves as "carers". You may be a parent, partner, sibling, or friend and you may look out for, and take care of, your son, daughter, husband, wife, lover or pal - in the same way that they would look out for you.

It is sometimes said that MS affects "the whole family" and it's certainly true that the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis - fatigue, walking difficulty, a foggy brain, bladder problems - have a ripple effect on those around you. You may find that you are not able to do as much in the house or garden or at work - and someone picks up the slack.

So, although not everyone wants the label of carer, it is certainly true that lots of family and friends of people with MS have the need of support as well. You can talk to the MS Specialist Nurse about this. 

The Moray Council have commissioned an organisation called  Quarriers Carer Support Service (Moray) to provide a range of emotional and practical support to unpaid carers, young and old, in Moray. This includes advice and support and a confidential telephone helpline. Quarriers are based at: 

44 High Street, Elgin IV30 1BU. 

The main office number is 01343 556031. The helpline number is  01343 555031

To find out more about Quarriers' services in Moray click HERE

Quarriers is a national organisation and have their own website HERE

The Moray Council has also set up a Short Breaks Bureau which can provide unpaid carers with advice, information and support to access short breaks, depending on your needs and interests. Help offered covers a wide range of topics - befriending services, homecare, day services, supported holidays, equipment and more. One of the aims of the bureau is to encourage people to think differently about the kind of respite or short break which would make a positive difference to their situation. 

Lisa Stronach is the   Shorts Breaks Bureau Co-ordinator and she can be contacted on 01343 563887 or 07971999536. You can also e-mail her on lisa.stronach@moray.gov.uk

A Scotland-wide charity called Shared Care Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, provides good, practical information about respite care and short breaks suitable for people with various disabilities and their carers. Click HERE for their website.

Another organisation which supports carers in Moray is Crossroads who provide respite for carers in their own home by providing trained care attendants to relieve the carer allowing them to have a break . The service includes overnights if required. Contact Crossroads at:

If you care for someone in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance you may be entitled to Carers Allowance (formerly known as Invalid Care Allowance). This benefit is an acknowledgement that Carers are often not able to work or to accrue National Insurance credits. Click HERE for more information.

XX The national Carers Week takes place this year from 10th June to 16th June 2013. This is an     XX opportunity to draw attention to the needs of carers and the, sometimes, uneven an unequal support that they get depending on their circumstances. The MS Society have shot a video drawing attention to this: