Working Hard For Carers
MISSION STATEMENT CARERS CENTRE GROUP AWARENESS ABOUT US MEMBERSHIP EVENTS NEWS LETTER RURAL CARERS BEREAVEMENT. LOSS & CHANGE GROUP CONTACT US USEFUL CONTACTS F.ASD HOME
ABOUT US
WHAT DO WE DO?
We offer support to adult carers and former carers.
WHAT AREA DO WE COVER?
The area covered by Lancaster City Council.
AM I A CARER?
You are a CARER if you are UNPAID and look after your husband, wife, partner, parent or child, a family member or friend because that person is unable because of illness, disability or old age, to perform the daily tasks of life for themselves. Your caring role occupies at least 20 hours a week OR MAKES A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO YOUR LIFE STYLE.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE FOR CARERS?
Information, advice and emotional support during open drop in sessions from Monday to Friday in Morecambe and a visits service for those who can't or don't wish to come the centre. These visits could be to your home or a cafe if you prefer.
THIS SERVICE IS OFFERED TO CARERS BY A TEAM OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, MOST OF WHOM ARE CARERS OR FORMER CARERS, SO YOU CAN BE SURE THEY WILL HAVE SOME UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR SITUATION.
Information, advice and support in Lancaster Market-currently Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons (please check before calling in)
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY!
Lonsdale District Carers started in 1997 and from small (but determined) beginnings has been developing services for carers ever since. Initial, the Morecambe Citizens Advice Bureau employed a development worker under a service level agreement with Social Services. This agreement then transferred to Signpost Multi Agency Resource Centre in Morecambe and they began the work of developing further the services for carers. Carers had always wanted a "Centre" and rented a small shop unit in The Plaza Buildings off Queen Street in Morecambe, rent free for an initial period, for use as a carers centre. The centre was opened in carers week in June 1997 by Geraldine Smith MP and the Mayor, Councilor Hilda Shuttleworth. The work was two fold, developing the work of the centre to offer respite opportunities for carers and engaging with professionals to improve services for carers-the latter being the remit of The Lancaster, Morecambe and District carers forum! By 1999, the need for a larger centre became urgent as the group had well and truly outgrown the Plaza Buildings. In November, 1999, we moved to our current buildings on Regent Road (we have extended and now rent additional space-July 2004).
2003 saw the opening of our satellite centre in Lancaster Market and it is from this centre that we plan to develop outreach sessions in other Lancaster venues.
In 2004, it was felt that Lonsdale District Carers had grown sufficiently to be "floated off" and Signpost ceased to be the recipient of the monies under the service level agreement from Social Services. The agreement transferred to us and services continue to grow and develop.