A Fairy Tale Future

Are you sitting comfortably?  Then we'll begin ...

Once upon a time, about 5 years ago, a small group of carers and former carers got together to think about what could be done in north Northumberland to improve the lives of others like themselves.  They talked and they schemed and they filled in application forms with passion and commitment for their project.

Eventually all their hard work paid off.  They were awarded sufficient money for the CarerLink project to become a reality.  Two part-time co-ordinators were appointed to carry out the day to day running and CarerLink was away!

Telephone linking between carers urgently in need of ongoing emotional and moral support and trained volunteers quickly followed.  Then other services: social groups, personal visits and lots of information, giving carers a choice of support.

Photographs, articles and adverts in the local press.  Leaflets and posters - all designed to let people know about CarerLink.  The number of carers being helped grew steadily.

Everybody was pleased to feel the project working well.  Word spread about the success.  But, oh dear ...

A cloud loomed on the horizon.  Could the money witch thwart the project by a lack of funding?  CarerLink wasn't going to be beaten so easily.  The battle was on!  Who would win?

There was only one way to defeat the witch.  Make one BIG carer project by joining with Carers Together and working closely with the Care Trust - a project so big that the money witch would want to join in; big enough to make sure that ALL carers across the county could be equally supported.  A wonderful vision!  More talking, more planning, more form filling - mounting tension ...

And then - RED LETTER DAY.  Carers Northumberland, triumphant.  Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund and Northumberland Care Trust a new, countywide project able to provide accessible support for carers across Northumberland was born.

What a fairy tale!  Would this be the happy ever after ending?  We all at Carers Northumberland hope so!

What this will mean for YOU

Our Belford office will stay open with the same 'phone number

Kate and Jean will still be your local contacts

All our current services and groups will continue as before

We shall be using the Carers Northumberland logo and name from 1st April 2008

There will soon be a single contact number for all carers in the county

There will be offices in Pegswood and Hexham too

We shall have local forum meetings at Belford for you to tell us what you want to see happen.  Our first meeting is June 2nd @ 10:30am.

More Good News!

Very soon there will be an advocacy service for older people available in the County.  If you have a problem that you need help with to get your views or wishes heard, then this service will be for you.  Age Concern Alnwick and CarerLink have worked together to obtain funding from Comic Relief for the post.  Give Kate a ring to find out more information on 01668 219951.

Likely Future CN Events

Thursday 15th May  Alnwick Gardens  'Stress Busting' (with Elderberries)

Friday 20th June  Alnwick Gardens  'Carers Celebration morning'

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

Ongoing Events Diary

Alnwick Support Group usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Summerhill Residential Home, The Dunterns, Alnwick 1 - 3pm.

Wooler Support Group meets on the second Monday of the month 1:30pm - 3:30 in the Cheviot Centre.

Berwick Support Group usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Methodist Church Hall, Walkergate, from 10 - 12 noon.