Welcome to Helen Hewitt
Everyone at the Carers Centre would like to welcome our new Young Carers Project Co-ordinator, Helen Hewitt. Some of you will know Helen through the advocacy work she did. Helen has settled in with the team very well and we wish her all the very best with the project.

Thank you
Please join the Carers Centre in thanking Tony, Mary, Rob and all involved from the Hoop & Mallet Public House, Callands and The Hinds & Anvil Brewery for the fantastic fundraising event which was held on Saturday, 21 July 07. This event was held to raise as much money as possible to support all carers in Warrington. The public support was so immense that they raised £1600. We can't even begin to say how much this is appreciated.

We also thank Jonathan Ward and Don and Linda McIndoe for the Bowling Main which was held on 15 July. This was also a great success and we appreciate all the hard work.

Thank you to our trustees and volunteers.

Counselling service
Did you know that the counselling service is now 5 years old? We hope that if you have used the service, you are continuing to benefit from your counselling sessions. Please don't forget that if your circumstances have changed and you would like to come back for more counselling, you can call us and the counsellor will call you back.

Those who are new to the centre may not be aware of this part of our work. If you think you might benefit from talking things through with our counsellor, an initial counselling appointment can be made for you. You need to be:

• A carer or former carer
• Living in the borough of Warrington
• Not already involved in a talking therapy

If you would like to receive a copy of our counselling leaflet, which gives more

information on how counselling works, please call us on 01925 644212 and we will post one out to you. We look forward to hearing from you.

Blackpool Lights
Date to be confirmed. If you have an interest then please let Glen at the centre know as soon as possible.

Please note: An interest shown on an event does not always guarantee a place as priority will be given to carers most in need of a break.

Thought or two
Any change, even change for the better is always accompanied by setbacks.

Coffee Morning with a difference
'Why? Because it is in the afternoon -- 22 September, 1.30pm to 4pm, courtesy of Wyn Higham. Come along and join us.

• Fun Bingo,
• Various stalls
• Tombola
• Raffle

Carers Rights Day and
Launch of the Carers Strategy
Friday, 7 December 2007 at The Gateway, 11am to 4pm -- 'Caring Costs'

• To provide information to carers on their rights
• To be able to influence the increased take-up of benefits for carers and their families
• To raise awareness of the needs of carers
• To help individuals recognise themselves as carers
• Ensure carers are aware of and take up their new right to request flexible working

All this while enjoying comfortable surroundings and access to various pampering treatments. There will be a light lunch provided.

Please contact Glen at the centre if you are thinking of attending. This is a day that all carers should be involved in.

The Carers Centre turned my life around
I have been a coping on my own for the past 15 years, caring for my sick husband. I have been feeling lonely, isolated and down at heart. I have lost all my confidence and feel like I was not living, just existing from day to day.

If you are feeling like this because you are a 'carer' for somebody, I urge you to pick up the phone or better still call at 'the bungalow' at Garven Place and press the doorbell, because there you will receive a warm friendly welcome from one of the lovely ladies/gents inside. You can talk to someone who understands what you are going through as they have been in a similar situations themselves and it will be in complete confidence, so who better to talk to?

To press the doorbell that day a few months ago was one of the hardest things I have ever done, as I find it extremely hard to accept help for myself. But how glad I am that I did it, because it has turned my life around 360 degrees.

My only regret is that I didn't know about the Carers Centre years ago and that there was help out there, only I didn't know about it.

Go on pick up the phone or press the doorbell at the bungalow. If I can do it, you can too! There is a warm and friendly welcome waiting just for you.