Page updated: 05 Aug 2010
A new home for Trafford Carers’ Centre!
Trafford Carers’ Centre has a new home! It moved from Stretford Memorial Hospital in May to Warwick Road in Stretford and officially opened the new premises in a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford on 4 August.
“We are so pleased that the carers’ centre is in our new home,” said Kelly Hunter, centre manager. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s brilliant for us to finally have our own building with our name on it after 14 years of existence.”
At the opening, Mayor of Trafford, councillor Ken Weston, added: “Carers perform an amazing, selfless role to make sure their loved ones are supported during their time of need. It's important they have somewhere inviting to go to just be themselves, be supported, meet others in similar situations and have time to relax.
“This new carers centre ‘home’ is a huge step forward in us helping improve the quality of life for local carers. I am sure its varied support services and dedicated staff will be welcomed and appreciated by everyone."
Trafford Carers’ Centre is commissioned by NHS Trafford and Trafford Council to provide carers in the borough with emotional support, information and advice for carers and the person they are caring for.
“Often carers see themselves only in that role, so we try to help them find time to be the person they were before they began caring,” added Kelly. “It’s so important that carers have a life outside of their day-to-day duties but it can be difficult for them to do that, and that’s where we come in.”
Ways in which the centre can help include:
- Arranging peer networks and support groups for carers of someone with dementia.
- Running Health Checks on carers, assessing their mental and physical health and letting GPs know of those who may need extra support.
- Helping carers apply for grants of up to £300, which can be spent on anything to improve carers’ wellbeing – whether that be paying for exercise classes or buying a better mattress to aid sleep.
- E-book information; interactive information leaflets full of information about different conditions and carers’ health.
“The move to a new building has also meant that we have been able to improve our infrastructure, with a new phone system, email and diary system, and network,” added Kelly. “We now have a dedicated room for volunteer counsellors and massage therapists to use; making these valuable support services easier for carers to access.
“We also have our own facilities for carers’ forums, one-on-one meetings with carers and training sessions such as stress management.”
If you would like more information on the carers’ centre and how it can help, call 0161 848 2400.