Carers in Salford are being encouraged to share their stories as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of what life as a carer is like.
Salford City Council has set up an online forum (http://services.salford.gov.uk/forum/) where carers can talk to each other about their experiences to help create a network of support in the city.
It is being launched to coincide with this year's Carers' Week (13 - 19 June) campaign - 'The True Face of Carers'.
One person keen to tell his story is 47-year-old Mark Lloyd who is a full-time carer for his wife who has long-term health conditions.
Mark lives with his wife, Caroline, 49, in New Broughton, Salford. He has been her carer for over eight years, helping with her medication and the cooking and cleaning.
To support him as a carer, Mark has just bought a laptop with money from Salford City Council as part of a personal budgets programme.
It means he can now chat to other carers online and access a whole range of support services.
He said: "Over the last few years our lives have revolved around hospitals and health centres and with not getting out much the laptop has been a big help to us as we can chat to family abroad and friends."
Personal budgets allow carers to apply for extra financial help for things that will support them in their caring roles as well as their own personal lives.
Talking about being a carer he added: "We gave up our three bedroom house last June because it became too much to look after as well as caring for my wife.
"We moved to a ground floor, two bedroom apartment which we both really love. It's a lot easier to maintain and we're just having a wet room done so Caroline can use the shower without the bath, which will be a big help to her."
Carers also have access to support through the Salford Carers' Centre - a service commissioned by Salford City Council and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers network.
Based in The Angel Healthy Living Centre in Chapel Street, carers' support workers work with carers of all ages from as young as eight. This includes help with schooling and onto further education.
Cllr John Warmisham, Salford City Council's lead member for adult social care said: "The aim of this project is to get carers talking to each other and the more people who come forward to share their experiences, the more people can learn from it.
"Some people might not think of themselves as a carer and national Carers' Week is about showing carers the support that's out there and that their not alone."
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Monday 13 June 2011
Thursday 9 June 2011
Willow Tree Primary School Opening
Really pleased today (9/6/11) that Andy Burnham MP was able to come to Langworthy Ward to officially open Willow Tree Primary School. The school is an ultra modern two form entry primary school, providing capacity for 420 children reception to key stage 2 and a 60 place nursery. The interior and exterior have been designed to ensure the children have a fantastic learning experience. Talking to the children on a tour round, they thought it a fantastic place to learn so much better than the old schools that they had come from. I was very impressed with the children who were so polite, engaging and confident. If this is the future generation of Langworthy we should do all we can to encourage and nurture them. A big thanks to Headteacher Mrs.R.Munro, staff and governors for making us so welcome. This school will serve future generations thanks to the investment of a Labour Government working with a Labour Council.
Monday 6 June 2011
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month 2011
Throughout the month of June activities and events will be taking place around the country in schools and community centres to celebrate and raise awareness of Gypsy Roma Traveller and Showman culture and heritage. Salford City Council will once again be an active supporter of this initiative and will host a variety of workshops, activities and events that in the City. We will be jointly working with Manchester City Council on some activities, reflecting the strong links between communities in both cities.
There is a difference this year because rather than stage all our activity in June we are planning to kick things off then but have a series of events through summer and autumn to maintain the momentum. Further information will be added as projects are finalised.
Events in Salford
Community Celebration
Saturday 18th June 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Venue: Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Cheetham Hill
This event will be an opportunity for different Gypsy Roma Traveller groups, officers, partners and members of the public to come together and learn more about the culture and heritage of these often misunderstood communities.
The highlights of the day will be “Travellers Got Talent” show a chance for individual and groups to show off their ability as singers, dancers and all round entertainers in front of a panel of expert judges! The winners and runners up will receive prizes.
There will also be a professional storyteller, Roma portrait artist, life-size bow top wagon, traditional Irish and Roma music and dancing and much more. Examples of good practice and successful educational projects will also be showcased at this event.
Events for young people and schools
1) The internationally acclaimed Roma artist, Ferdinand Koci and local members from the Showman’s guild will be running art workshops on the 14th and 17th June in primary and secondary schools in the city to give an insight into Roma, Traveller and Show people culture. Pupils will also have the opportunity to experience what traditional Gypsy and Traveller life was like by taking part in storytelling workshops inside a traditional life-size Gypsy wagon (known as a Vardo). Details of the schools involved will appear here shortly.
This year there will also be a national competition for children of all ages called a “Moment in Time” where entrants can create a story, poem, painting, photograph or even a piece of music or song that captures a moment in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture or history. Prizes will be given out in each category in the autumn term.
2) The Broughton Trust in partnership with Lower Broughton Children’s Centre will be offering Taster workshops in Hair and Beauty and Well–Being aimed at young Traveller women in order to help them develop skills for employment. The workshops will be taking place at Lower Broughton Children’s Centre during June, and further details of the exact dates will be added soon.
For more information contact Natalie Stables, Ethnic Minority & Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) on 0161 921 2202 or by email on Natalie.stables@salford.gov.uk
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