Large fontAbout UsARE YOU 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. 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; this could be outside normal working hours at a time to suit you. These visits could be to your home or a cafe if you prefer. Information, advice and support is also offered at The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons (please check before calling in). Click here to see our Information pack in PDF format. 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. Initially, the Morecambe Citizens Advice Bureau employed a development worker under a service level agreement with Social Services. This agreement then transferred to Signposts 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 Regent Road, Morecambe. Subsequently, the carers centre moved to The Cartmel Centre in Euston Road, Morecambe in late 2008, where we continue to provide a wide range of high quality services to our members. 2003 saw the opening of our satellite centre in Lancaster, where we now provide support sessions on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons at The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster-a building that we share with One Voice and Thumbprint. 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. |