Tameside Carers share their stories to encourage others to seek support

CARERS from Tameside are sharing their stories this Carers Week (10-16 June) to highlight the challenges they face and to encourage others to reach out for help.

Allan Oldham and Lisa Smith are both unpaid Carers accessing support through Tameside Carers Centre, a service that supports a variety of Carers to get the right support at the right time. Wellbeing Advisors offer tailored information, advice, advocacy, and emotional support, including help with Carers Assessments to see how they can assist the person caring and those they care for.

Allan, 74, from Hyde, cares for his wife after a tragic accident left her needing full time care and both being unable to work. Overnight his life changed dramatically, he felt lost as he landed into a caring role which he had no training for, this included unfamiliar tasks like administering medication. But Allan says contacting The Carers Centre was life changing.

He said: “Reaching out for support is the best thing I ever did. I now feel like I’m not as alone and I often connect with other Carers through monthly coffee mornings and events organised by The Carers Centre.

“They have also directed me to groups so I can take some timeout for myself. I love singing and I am now a member of the Tameside Community Health Choir and I even sing at some of the Carers Centre events.”

Lisa Smith, 43, from Ashton, is a parent-carer who now feels listened to and supported after contacting Tameside’s Carers Centre. Lisa never thought of herself as a Carer, to her she was just a mum raising her child.

She said: “Post-covid I was really struggling and feeling burned out and realised I needed to get some support. After contacting the Carers Centre and talking to a Wellbeing Advisor, I felt heard and was relieved to hear about the help available to me.”

Now life for Lisa is very different, she no longer feels isolated and feels supported to make time for the things she enjoys. Guidance from her Wellbeing Advisor has led her to complete several courses through Tameside’s Wellbeing College and she now regularly attends a Parent Carer Support Group. Alongside this, she’s recently attended events organised by the Carers Centre including a trip to the theatre and afternoon tea. 

Executive Member for Adult Social Care Cllr John Taylor said: ‘’Sharing our Carers stories is so important to show others they are not alone and to encourage people to reach out for help.

‘’We continue to be so grateful to our community of Carers, recognising and appreciating your sacrifices and efforts to care for your loved ones.’’

Tameside Carers Centre drop-in support sessions run from Monday to Friday (excluding Wednesday’s) from10am to 2pm, booking is not essential but if you prefer to let them know you are visiting, please get in touch. Carers can connect with other through coffee mornings which are hosted on the last Tuesday of every month and regular events are organised for well-deserved time out. 

The Tameside Carers Centre is based in the People Place at Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 6BH. Find more information at www.tameside.gov.uk/carerscentre and connect with them on Facebook for regular updates by searching ‘Tameside Carers Centre’.

To find out more about Carers Week 2024 please visit www.carersweek.org