Tuesday 19th April 2011
A new centre that aims to offer support, guidance and activities for carers has been officially opened in Chesterfield town centre today.
Derbyshire Carers Association has over 4,500 members countywide on it's database and provides an invaluable service to those who are looking after family, friends or partners in need of fulltime care.
Mrs Adams, the first carer on the centre's database cuts the ribbon to open the new Carer's Centre on West Bars, watched by CEO Helen Robinson (centre) and other members at the centre.
The new Derbyshire Carers Association Centre is sited on West Bars in what was MP Paul Holmes' office. It becomes another centre in Derbyshire offering services including benefits advice and massage and holistic therapies, along with units including a HQ in Ripley and a city centre facility in Derby.
Kevin Miles works at the new centre as an Area Co-Ordinator and he told The Chesterfield Post how vital a service it is, "Most people in Derbyshire don't realise that they're carers, they just roll their sleeves up and do it - 'It's my wife, I just do it.' They don't think about themselves, they get so exhausted and who looks after them? We do and it does help."
He also told us what the centre would bring in real terms to carers in the area, "We will have 3 Area Co-ordinators including myself based here. We hope to host coffee mornings on a market day so carers can bring their cared for here, have a coffee pick brains and maybe pick up some leaflets."
He added "Anything we can do we will, and give our best shot, what carers want, we will facilitate - there are already carers groups across the county, a new one at Staveley and a re-vamped one at Dronfield."
He feels that there are more people out there who need their services, "Part of my job is to find hidden carers, people who don't realise they're looking after someone, to tell them what's available.
"The word carer is an awkward word - they say 'I have someone to come in of a morning to get my wife up she is our carer' - only she isn't - THEY are. Get them to identify themselves - they need a hand, a bit of help."
With a shortfall in the care services of around £12 million, many carers have huge financial worries to discuss and Kevin admits that's a problem, "We are having lots phoning us worried about finance. We do whatever we can for them, but they're worrying times."
So, what does a centre like this mean to carers? We spoke to Wilfred Hall who has been part of the Derbyshire Carers Association for 4 years. He says a facility like this means everything, "When my wife was first taken into hospital I didn't know what to do. I wouldn't be here but for these people. It's been a big help to me, she had a stroke in 2006, five years this month.
"I don't think I could cope without them, they do so much for carers. There are people out there who think that they can't do anything for them, but they can. It's a scary time but you have to look after yourself and wait till the cutbacks come, then get together and fight."
CEO of the Charity, Helen Robinson is hugely proud of the new unit, telling the guests at the launch that it had been three years in the making, "Many hours have gone into making this possible. I'd like to thank staff and carers and also DCC and Derbyshire County PCT for their funding and support". She also thanked the volunteers who give up their time, "And make a huge difference to what this charity can offer. Being based here makes us visible and makes lots of activities possible."
Inviting Mrs Adams, who is the first carer on the charity's database, to cut the ribbon to officially open the centre, Ms Robinson said, "I'd like to thank everyone involved and hope it will make a huge difference to carers in the area."
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