Time for carers that’ll make a difference
26 January
2012
Rochdale Borough Council is searching for residents who are
caring for a friend or family member to come forward and get some
help and time back for themselves.
Through a new scheme, carers who are not known to, or using,
adult care services can register to receive free, regular and
personalised short breaks.
Each week, an experienced worker from the designated care
provider, Homecare Support, will come to the carer’s home and take
on their caring responsibilities to give them some time to
themselves.
Councillor Linda Robinson, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health
and Housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Carers are our
unsung heroes and there are over 21, 000 across the borough. Many
are unknown to us and may be really struggling to cope. We’re
hoping to find those carers and provide them with as much help as
possible.“
The scheme is being trialed until March 2012 and it is hoped at
least 50 unknown carers will come forward to take up the
breaks.
Julie Parrish, Carers Commissioning Manager at Rochdale Borough
Council, said: “We want to find those carers who are really
struggling to cope and who could do with some additional help and
support. Through personalised, regular and flexible breaks we hope
we can support them to stay mentally and physically well, link them
with many other services they may benefit from and help them to
have a life outside of their caring role.”
Carers, or anyone wanting to refer any people for this scheme,
should contact Janet Davidson, Outreach Worker, on 01706 922954 or
email janet.davidson@rochdale.gov.uk.