A new scheme is being launched to help people with a rare neurological condition and Rita Menzies knows first hand how much it is needed.

The 75-year-old, from Gillingham, ended up as a full-time carer for her husband David when he was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in 2012.

It is a Parkinson’s-like disease which slowly robs people of the ability to walk, talk, feed themselves or communicate.

The average life expectancy is just seven years from the onset of symptoms.

Her 80-year-old spouse began showing symptoms of ageing, such as memory loss, but it was not until he fell ill with an infection and spent several weeks in hospital that he was actually diagnosed with PSP.

Mrs Menzies said: “After David’s diagnosis we were alone. We had no information about what it was or who to contact. It was like wading through treacle only to find rocks beneath.

“After David’s diagnosis we were alone. We had no information about what it was or who to contact. It was like wading through treacle only to find rocks beneath. I felt so isolated.” - Mrs Menzies

“Nobody tells you anything and no-one seems to know what it is. I didn’t know who to ask. I felt so isolated.”

The PSP Association (PSPA) is now launching a pilot support worker project across Kent.

They are only charity in the country supporting people with the condition and are looking for volunteers.

The aim is for volunteer support workers to provide at-home care by maintaining regular contact with families and offering confidential and emotional reassurance and information.

It would have helped Mrs Menzies and will help others deal with what is a rare and often unknown condition, even to GPs.

She added: “I was fortunate in having the support of friends and family, but if there was somebody who understood what we were going through and who could have pointed me in the right direction, it definitely would have helped.”

Each support worker will be supervised by a team leader for various areas across the county.

Full training will be given and expenses reimbursed.

Contact www.pspassociation.org.uk.