Love for Carer's Week

Love was in the air this week as National Carers Week celebrations attracted hundreds of carers to events throughout the borough.

The events, organised by Rochdale Borough Council’s Carers’ Resource, offered carers a special helping of TLC with the chance to get a health check, take the fitness route to better health, and get themselves noticed.

The fun started at the brand new Middleton Arena were carers were offered health checks and special Carers Leisure Cards provided by Link4Life, the borough’s leisure and cultural trust. At Heywood Magic Market, besides health checks and leisure cards, carers also enjoyed a little ‘me time’ with nail art and smoothies. The week culminated with a tribute to carers from the Mayor at the Carers’ Resource base in Rochdale.

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift said: “Carers make a massive contribution to their communities that often goes unrecognised.

"They do a wonderful job and the generous, loving care they give is hugely appreciated by the Council. It is essential that we reach out to hidden carers across the borough to help them get the services and support they deserve.”

There are estimated to be 22 000 carers in the borough looking after the most vulnerable by caring for ill, frail or disabled relatives, friends and neighbours. Since it opened in 2002, the Council’s Carers’ Resource has become the focal point for advice, information and support.

Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, said “Carers are a secret service often neglecting their own health, finances, working and social life, and general well-being to care for friends and relatives.

“But the Council knows carers can’t always provide this help alone. That’s why the Council’s Carers’ Resource is so vital, it can be called on all year around to offer our carers the information, advice and support they need whenever they need it.”

The carers resource provides a wide-range of carer-specific services, from having a chat with fellow carers, free training, and employment support, to arranging respite and childcare. For more details call The Carers’ Resource on 01706 925808 (freephone 0800 091 0558), email thecarersresource@rochdale.gov.uk or visit Rochdale Borough Council’s website.