New Pop-up Carers’ Centre Opened in Hailsham

Town councillor Richard Grocock was among those who attended the official opening of a new pop-up Carers Centre in Hailsham town centre on Monday [4 June], helping to raise the profile of unpaid carers in the local area.

Care For The Carers staff are on hand for one week (9am-5pm, Monday 4^th June to Friday 8^th June) in Hailsham & District Chamber of Commerce’s pop-up shop on the High Street and a specialist support worker is available to offer information and advice to people who visit. There will also be details available of upcoming events and activities for carers, and other support available to them.

The pop-up shop is part of the build-up to the national Carers’ Week campaign, which takes place from 11^th to 17^th June.

Care For The Carers was established in 1989 to meet the needs of unpaid carers in East Sussex. Unpaid carers can often feel isolated, stressed and unsure of where to turn; many carers do not access Care For The Carers’ services until they have reached crisis point. There are more than 18,000 unpaid carers in Wealden, and this number continues to grow.

The pop-up Carers’ Centre aims to reach more carers locally and raise awareness of unpaid carers and their needs.

“Unpaid carers who look after family members or friends in need are the main providers of care in the local community,” said town councillor Richard Grocock, who attended the opening along with county councillor Bob Bowdler, Care for the Carers Chair Jenny Ballard and Chief Executive Jennifer Twist.

“The caring role is incredibly hard, as anyone who has looked after a loved one will know. Care For The Carers is determined to do all it can to help carers carry their role out successfully.”

“I’m grateful to Care for The Carers for inviting me to the opening of their pop-up centre and commend the charity for continuing to deliver an excellent service to their clients and service users,” added Councillor Grocock.

“I’d encourage all unpaid carers in the area to visit,” said Jo Egan, Operations Manager at Care For The Carers. “The aim of the pop-up Carers’ Centre is to reach out within our local communities in and around Hailsham.”

“We run a wide range of services for carers, including advice clinics, support groups, counselling, and even social activities such as pamper days, but many of the carers we have contact with say they wish they’d heard about us sooner.”

For those who are unable to attend the pop-up centre this week, carers are always welcome to the regular Hailsham carers’ groups, facilitated by Care for the Carers:

• Hailsham Carers Information and Advice Group meets the first Monday of the month, 10am-12noon, at Herstmonceux Health Centre, Hailsham Rd, Herstmonceux, Hailsham BN27 4LU.
• Hailsham Carers Wellbeing Group meets every first Wednesday of the month, 10.30am–12noon at the Fleur de Lys Meeting Room, Town Council Offices, Market Street, Hailsham, BN27 2AE.