Cheer for carers with Lottery cash ‘win’

The money from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme, aimed at communities and people most in need, has been awarded to the Hull Carers’ Centre and will enable it to provide outreach support to carers and the people they look after.

Based on the work of a successful pilot project, the scheme will provide outreach support to carers at local venues such as GP surgeries and medical centres.

In addition, the centre will also be able to provide home visits and an information bus which will tour estates around Hull four times a year.

Support courses will also be run for carers providing them with skills to manage their emotions, time, and their own health, while coping with giving medication, handling emergencies, and maximising the resources available to them.

To enable the carer to attend, respite support workers will be available to look after the cared for person.

Centre manager Greg Harman said: “Many of the estimated 23,000 unpaid carers in Hull fail to get support or advice because they are unable to travel far from their homes due to mobility problems or other barriers.

“Too many do not even realise that they are a carer and entitled to help. Taking advice and support to them near their own homes across Hull will make a huge difference to their quality of life through improving their own health, accessing practical aids and maximising income.

“This is all thanks for the Big Lottery Fund.”

The award was the biggest grant from the £2.2m made in the region.

Fund spokesman Paul Jones said: “Over £2.2m is being shared amongst great projects that are working hard to make a positive difference to individual lives and communities across the region.”