THE Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire teamed up with Bluebird Care to treat carers from Alton and Alresford to a day out aboard a Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line steam train.

Designed to celebrate National Carers’ Week, this was one of many events held across the county.

At the Watercress Line, carers met on the platform at Alton station to board the train, accompanied by town mayor Dean Phillips, who enjoyed the rail journey and lunch with the carers at The Swan Hotel in Alresford.

The Trust worked in partnership on this event with Bluebird Care, Hampshire’s first care quality commission-rated “overall outstanding” home care provider.

Kerry Hearsey, chief executive of The Princess Royal Trust, said: “It was a delight to see so many carers attend the events this year to enjoy a bit of me time and some time away from their caring responsibilities. The partnership with Bluebird Care has enhanced these events and fits so aptly into the theme for this year of building carer-friendly communities.”

Norman Murphy, owner and director of Bluebird Care, said: “We are delighted to continue our National Carers’ Week partnership with the Trust and thoroughly enjoy spoiling family carers who always put their loved ones ahead of themselves day in, day out.

“It is so important that family carers get a break, meet new people and get the chance to do something fun and relaxing to forget about their caring duties for a couple of hours.

“This partnership provides all of this and the positive response we get each year is overwhelming.”