Carers’ resource appeals to unsung heroes

Carer Zahida Iqbal with her daughter

The Carers’ Resource is calling on the thousands of unsung heroes across the borough who care for friends or loved ones to take part in one of the many activities happening all next week to mark National Carers’ Week (9 – 15 June).

Over 2,000 people are registered with the The Carers’ Resource, a council-run support network for carers, but it is estimated that over 21,000 more people in the borough may be eligible for their support.

The Carers’ Resource has now devised a quiz to help people identify whether they are carers and therefore eligible to access help.

Any carer who answers yes to the following questions will qualify for help from The Carers’ Resource:

• Do you regularly care for a friend or loved one?
• Do you regularly help a family member or friend get washed, dressed or manage their money?
• Is your health affected by the pressures of caring for a loved one?
• Are you struggling to support somebody with dementia?

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Adult Care at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The quiz is a way of getting people to think about whether they are a carer because there are so many people out there who are not accessing the support they need. Carers’ week is a great way to not only celebrate the many carers we know about, but also welcome new faces. This is the perfect opportunity for new carers to come and join this huge support network.”

Carers’ Week is a UK-wide annual awareness campaign which aims to improve the lives of carers and the people they care for. A host of events will be taking place across the borough throughout the week to mark the event.

On Monday 9 June  health checks and pamper sessions will be on offer at the Middleton Arena between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

On the Tuesday, a cream tea and relaxing therapies will be available at the Heywood Magic Centre between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

At Number One Riverside on Wednesday 10 June there is a carers’ quiz and coffee morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a celebrity appearance by comedian Jimmy Cricket and a performance by the Carers’ Choir at 12.45pm.

At The Carers’ Resource, at 35-37 Oldham Road, an emergency first aid course will be on offer on Wednesday from 1 to 3pm. This will be followed by a cook and eat taster session on Thursday which offers carers the chance to rustle up a delicious chicken or vegetable curry between 10am and 12noon.

A South-American themed party night at Rochdale football club is on Thursday from 6.30 to 9.30pm. The event is free for carers who book and a buffet will be provided.

On Friday, a special session for new carers will take place between 10am and 12noon at The Carers’ Resource followed by a chance to meet a local solicitor, between 1 and 2.30pm for free legal advice on wills and power of attorney.

All of the events are free and, apart from the Carers’ Party, don’t need to be booked.