First ‘Self Care’ Hub in the North West opens at Rochdale Infirmary

Patricia Dodgeson, Team Lead Living With and Beyond Cancer; the Mayor of Rochdale, Cllr Billy Sheerin; Steve Taylor, Chief Officer Bury and Rochdale Care Organisation; Sharon Lord, Programme Lead; Julie Dawson, Team Lead Self Management Service

On Friday 27 September, the Mayor of Rochdale (Councillor Billy Sheerin) officially launched the Heywood Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) Self Care Hub, at Rochdale Infirmary.

The Self Care Hub, the first of its kind in the North West, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals through supported person-centred self care.

The Self Care Hub will start with partnership working between cancer, long term conditions and mental health services, including local charities and voluntary organisations, across the Rochdale borough.

Experts will be providing information on a range of issues, including social issues, money issues, transport, and improved management of long term health conditions. All of which can affect how well someone feels.

The launch was held to coincide with the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning, raising money to support those living with cancer.

Sharon Lord, Programme Lead said: “The HMR Self-Care hub is committed to developing new joined up ways of working between health, social care and voluntary and community based services to support people to live healthier lives through understanding, engaging and being empowered in self-care. It’s been great to see so many people here today, supporting us. The Hub is open to anyone who lives or works in Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale, so if you feel you would benefit, please come and see us.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, said: “I am delighted to be here to open this service. I have met a great range of people from the NHS and voluntary and community sector, who are all here to support those that live or work in the Rochdale borough to keep themselves healthy, well and independent.”

The Self Care Hub is located in The Damson Centre, Level C, Rochdale Infirmary and is open 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.