The ‘I am a Carer' Card is confirmation that the carrier is a carer registered with Carers Together South Tees.
There are currently more than 30,000 carers across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, providing vital support to countless vulnerable adults, children and families.
Their work is one of the exemptions to restrictions on household mixing during lockdown, but some have found themselves challenged by members of the public concerned over possible lockdown breaches.
The cards provide confirmation that those carrying them are providing care and support within Covid guidelines.
Carers Together Chief Executive Lee O'Brien said: "Carers have been concerned about visiting the people they care for as there have been occasions when they have been challenged by neighbours and others as to why they are mixing in households.
"However, providing care to a vulnerable adult or child is one of the exemptions to restrictions on household mixing under the Covid alert system.
"We're therefore delighted to be able to launch our new Carer's Card which we hope will provide reassurance and peace of mind to those whose care and support is vital to so many across our communities."
Councillor Dorothy Davison, Middlesbrough Council's Executive member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, said: "Carers are the unsung heroes of our communities, and never more so than during the current coronavirus crisis.
"They're rightly exempt from some of the restrictions in place during lockdown to enable them to continue their invaluable work.
"The Carer's Card is a fantastic idea which I hope will give them increased peace of mind during these difficult and uncertain times."
- The Carer's Card identifies the holder as a carer who is registered with Carers Together and is available to new and existing carers across South Tees.
For more information and to request a card, carers should contact Carers Together, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm on 01642 488977, Text/Wats App 07767 117556/07483 906920 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information about Carers Together please visit the website www.carerstogether.co.uk. You can also access the information on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For the latest local updates and information, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/covid19
For information on local help and support, visit Help Boro at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboro or call Middlesbrough Council's support line 01642 729777
The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
