The Olympic Torch is passing through Hindley on Thursday 31st May and whilst many supporters will be lining the route, the events don’t stop there.

We will be opening our doors to our registered carers from about 4:00pm and in good time to have a brew and a cake before the torchbearer arrives at Hindley Town Hall. After cheering the torch on its way to Bolton, come back to the Centre and finish off the cakes and have a natter.

Whilst the Olympic Torch wends its merry way to London, events in Hindley don’t stop. The Hockery Brook is proud to present the Hindley Community Olympics on June 2nd at the following Venues

St Peters Pavillion (10:00am to 3:30pm)

- Sports Hub Including Wigan Athletic, Wigan Warriors and local sports clubs.

Hockery Brook Public House Fun Day (11:00am – 3:30pm)

Hosting a BBQ, a Bucking Bronco, music and more.

Bird i’th Hand

Meet the War Veterans Association between 12:00noon and 4:00pm

Amberswood Common

Is where you can find another Fun Day which includes Archery, a bit of Bush craft, Disabled Fishing and more

The WLCC are examining the potential to provide a 1 day First Aid Training Course in conjunction with the BRITISH RED CROSS for up to 15 Carers.

The course will be held at the Centre with the Date and Time posted on here once finalised.

Depending on uptake and demand, we intend to run another training session in due course....the details of which will be posted on here and at the Centre.

The Carers Centre in acknowledging that it is easier for our REGISTERED Carers to access chiropody locally have secured the services of ASHTON CHIROPODY PRACTICE, 34 Garswood Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 9AF

Opening times are as follows:

• Mon – 10:00am to 2:30pm
• Tue, Fri, Sat – 09:30am to 5:00pm

CONTACT THE CARERS CENTRE on 01942 705959 TO CHECK AVAILABILITY AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

NOTE: Appointments missed without notice may incur a charge.

How YOU can influence the Strategy

WMBC are in the process of reviewing the carer strategy for the borough in line with the national strategy, Recognised, valued and supported: Next Steps for the Carer Strategy (Department of Health 2010) and Carers at the heart of 21st-century families and communities (Department of Health 2008) and to start the process we had an initial meeting in December with carers to agree an engagement strategy which sets out a plan of how we are going to work in partnership with carers to identify the type of help and support they need to continue in their caring role.

During the next 3 months we will be:

• sending out a short questionnaire to as many carers as possible to get their views about their priorities, this will also be available on the web
• distributing the questionnaire as widely as possible to different locations throughout the borough to try and encourage new carers to come forward with their views
• visiting local carer support groups to get feedback and their views about local priorities
• attending the Carer Forum information session on 23 February again to get carer views

At the end of the process we will collate the responses and arrange an event for carers to feedback the outcome from the consultation. This will also reflect how the key priorities identified will be incorporated into the revised carer strategy. I would be grateful if you could raise awareness of this within your group and encourage your members to take an active part in the process by completing the on line questionnaire on the following link Consultation (Opens in new window)

Or if you prefer to complete a paper copy contact the office on 01942 705983 and we can arrange to send copies out to you.

If you are interested in attending the event on 23 February being organised by the Carer Forum, contact the Carers Centre on 01942 705959 for further details and to book a place.

It is important we at the Carers Centre seek the views of our Service Users and to this end have conducted a paper evaluation. The evaluations returned numbered 200 and All at the WLCC thank all those who responded.

To read the Evaluation summary, see our News Section or left click the quick link below.

How have we done? (Opens in new window)

Weekly Benefits Advice

The Carers Centre are ever conscious that many unpaid Carers may not be aware of benefits available to them, to this end, commencing Thursday January 26th the Carers Centre has secured weekly access for Benefits advice.

An advisor will be available Every Thursday between 10am & 12 noon and all we ask is that you are Registered with the Carers Centre and that you ring us on 01942-705959 or 01942-486922 to book an appointment (subject to availability)