Middleton's Lighthouse Project shines at Care and Carers' Fair

Middleton shone on Friday (12 October) when the Care and Carers’ Fair came to town with 32 exhibitors in attendance providing help, advice and information.

Aimed at raising awareness of the Lighthouse Project’s ‘Carers’ Coffee Break’, the event was well-attended and provided the opportunity to chat to a wide range of services including Living Well, Rochdale Council adult services, the Alzheimer’s Society, Rochdale MIND, Rochdale Carers Hub, MS Society, The Parkinson’s Society, Macmillian Cancer Care and many more.

The event was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, who expressed his thanks and appreciation for all the carers. MP for Heywood and Middleton, Liz McInnes and Middleton councillor, Patricia Dale, were also in attendance.

During his opening welcome, Councillor Sheerin said: "Carers are, in my honest opinion, are the very best members of our society.

“They selflessly devote hours of their time looking after those, who due to illness, or old age, cannot care for themselves. There are over 23,000 carers in our borough, and these are just the ones we know about, so there are likely to be many more, both young and old, who need our support.

“It’s really important that we reach out to these amazing people through events such as this."  

He also thanked those who had organised the event for their hard work. 

Middleton Dial, who are based at the Lighthouse, hire out wheelchairs and equipment. They commented on what a good event it was and it gave them the chance to let people know about their existence.

Development Manager for the Lighthouse Project, Carl Roach commented: “The event was a great success.

“It was a delight to see so many caring organisations and support services all in one place, which made it easy for the public to find out about a wide range of services, as well as those organisations being able to find out about each other, including the Lighthouse Project.

“Well done to everyone involved in bringing the event together; it was an excellent day."

Community Champion for Living Well and joint event organiser, Tony Ettenfield said: “Finding and paying for care is such a big issue in many more people’s lives now that we just wanted to give people the chance to come along and get answers to any questions worrying them.”

The Lighthouse Project’s ‘Carers’ Coffee Break’ takes place at the Lighthouse every Tuesday morning between 11am and 12-noon.

Carers can come along for a short break, have a chat, get some advice, form new friends where they can help each other at difficult times.