A charity which supports carers has been recognised as a national leader in the way it works.

The Carers’ Resource, which gives tailored support and information to unpaid carers and vulnerable people in Airedale and Craven, has been praised for its “impressive work and fantastic range of services” following a visit by members of the Parliamentary Work and Pensions Select Committee of MPs.

The committee is chaired by Terry Rooney, Labour MP for Bradford North, who said: “When we decided to look at the role of carer centres, Carers’ Resource came seriously recommended. On the basis of our recent visit, I am not surprised. I would like to see it replicated in the rest of the country on a more permanent funding basis.

“Instead of having to rely to some extent on short term contracts, funding for this important work needs to be solid. We will report to the Government and they will have two months to respond. Personally I would like to see a network of carers centres.”

Eight MPs on the all-party committee talked to carers, Carers’ Resource staff and health and social services professionals including Dr Jacqui Aitkin, of Ling House Surgery, Keighley, and Dr Liz Clements, of Silsden Group Practice. David Harbourne, former chief executive of North Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, gave a personal testimony on combining caring and work.

Anne Smyth, director of the Carers’ Resource, said the MPs were “humbled and shell-shocked” on hearing the realities of caring for family members, sometimes round the clock.

A young carer confessed he would have got into drugs without Carers’ Resource support. An older carer said how near to suicide the unremitting pressures had brought him.

Mrs Smyth said: “The MPs had an insight into the world of hidden carers – those who don’t have the confidence to speak in public and may not get the benefits, respite care, training opportunities or emotional support they need.”

Mr Rooney, a welfare rights adviser and Bradford councillor before becoming an MP in 1990, said: “The lives of some carers are quite remarkable.”