During 1990 and 1991 professional health workers in the Cirencester and Fairford area became increasingly aware of the lack of support for Carers. They identified a need for flexible, home-based respite provision that enabled Carers to have a break on a regular or occasional basis, confident that the person for whom they were caring was comfortable, in familiar surroundings with the normal household routine being followed.

Research established a clear need for such a service. With great help and support from Gloucestershire Social Services and the Health Authority and with significant funding from the West Region of The Spastics Society (now SCOPE) and the Gloucester based Barnwood Trust, it became possible to launch CareShare in the South Cotswolds.

The West Region of SCOPE became involved as they wanted to promote and support a pilot project to help older Carers of people with a physical disability following the findings of their research into the needs of elderly Carers.

During 1996 CareShare applied again to The Barnwood Trust for more financial help to enable us to extend our service to Carers of those with dementia. Due to their generosity, we were able to establish such provision. A shortfall between funding and demand has been helped by generous donations from local trusts and businesses and from our own fund raising.

In January 2000 CareShare was delighted to be awarded the runner up award in the Carers Category in the first national Social Care Awards. The awards were sponsored by The Department of Health and were launched to recognise excellence in social care.

With funding from the Carers Special Grant, CareShare expanded the service into the North Cotswolds during 2000, where there has been is a recognised gap in provision available for Carers.

From April 2005 CareShare is fortunate to have funding from The National Lottery for the next 3 years. CareShare staff have noticed a marked increase in requests for support from Carers who are themselves in poor health. Lottery funding will enable CareShare to put in place specific, flexible support for this group.