Carers's Corner - First anniversary

At 12 noon on Wednesday, May 11, the Mayor of Rotherham, Coun. Rose McNeely, will be the guest of honour at a special birthday celebration for Rotherham Carers' Corner.

Carers' Corner - on the corner of Drummond Street and Effingham Square - opened 12 months ago as a resource centre offering advice, information and support to  the estimated 30,000 unpaid carers across the Borough.

Over the past year about 4,200 people have contacted the centre and over 1,200 carers have been offered advice and support through outreach work coordinated by the Carers Forum. Over 150 carers have attended training courses which were identified as being needed by carers themselves.

The flagship centre offers a range of facilities including two private rooms, a meeting area, a 'chill-out' area, projector and screen, internet access and an information kiosk.

Flexible to meet the changing needs of carers, the centre has been fully utilised - with desk, meeting and relax areas. It has become a town centre hub for carers who can view relevant information from appropriate agencies regarding services and activities.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing for Rotherham Borough Council, described the anniversary as a 'real celebration' for all carers across the Borough. 

She said: "This centre was shaped by carers and has been used and benefitted by them throughout the past year. It has proved to be a vital and valuable resource and our aim is to carry on this excellent service and develop it over the coming years so it can continue to improve the lives of carers across Rotherham.

"It has witnessed a huge amount of innovative work and I hope that it will continue to provide support, encouragement and solutions over the coming years."

The Centre receives support from various organisations offering professional advice and support on a regular basis. Howells the Solicitors, the Learning Disability Service, Crossroads, BME Carers, Job Centre Plus, Macmillan Nurses, Yorkshire Housing all have a regular presence together with the Carers Forum, the Rotherham Parents Carers Forum, Carers 4 Carers, Mental Health Services, the Alzheimer's Society, Barnardos, Tassibee and Welfare Rights.

The birthday celebration will be a precursor to the annual Carers' Week, which runs next month from June 13 to 17, when an event is being held from Monday to Thursday at Carers' Corner, in addition to a display and information centre within the Town Centre on Friday.