By Sarah Newstead

Last updated at 18:15, Thursday, 06 March 2008

PRINCESS Anne reassured carers at the opening of the new Carlisle Carers resource centre that help with their role is at hand.

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 The Princess Royal officially opened the Carlisle Carers facility at the Fusehill Medical Centre yesterday. She unveiled a plaque and signed the visitors book to commemorate her visit.

She told assembled carers that the facility’s location within the medical centre would help GPs to refer new carers for support.

She said: “Carers quite often get isolated by their role. But there are ways of breaking down that isolation.

“It’s for you to take what you can – meeting friends, making friends and above all meeting other carers who understand your experiences.”

Demi Nelson, 12, of Harraby, looks after her mother who suffers from arthritis and depression.

The youngster, who attends North Cumbria Technology College, said: “My mum gets pains in her hands and can’t walk distances.

“She can’t lift washing out of the basket or take pans out of the oven, so I have to do things like that.”

Demi said she has “matured more quickly” than her peers as a result.

“I enjoyed meeting Princess Anne – she reassured me that there is help and things are going to get better,” she added.

Trustee of Carlisle Carers Association Bill Ward, who cares for his wife Edna, 40, and son, Simon, 18, at their Hebden Avenue home, said the visit would raise awareness of carers in the community.

Bill, 48, added that the new Fusehill Street centre provides somewhere for carers groups to meet: “Being a carer is a 24-hour job. The centre provides a break.”

Princess Anne also met funders and the centre’s staff on her tour of the facility.

Centre Manager Dawn Kenyon said: “We have over 30 carers here and she has spoken to every one.

“Her knowledge about the caring role is impressive. Our carers have enjoyed the visit immensely.

“It will be great to raise the profile of the centre and we want to reach out to more and more carers.”

Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, James Cropper, and his wife Susan were also present along with Carlisle Carers chairman Keith Adams, Carlisle’s MP Eric Martlew and civic officials, including mayor Liz Mallinson.

Carlisle Carers provides services to support over 1,000 adult carers and 60 young carers in the city and surrounding district.

First published at 11:16, Thursday, 06 March 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk