About Bolton Carers Support

Bolton Carers Support is a registered charity that was set up in 1994 and offers a confidential support and information service to carers. We are an independent charity supporting carers over the age of 18 who live in Bolton or who care for someone living in Bolton. Find out more

We offer information, a confidential listening ear, opportunities to meet other carers for mutual support, training, short breaks, and can ‘signpost’ you to relevant services that can help you in your caring role. Our services are free of charge, with the exception of our short breaks (for which we make a small charge).

We are an organisation supporting local people over the age of 18 who look after family members, relatives or friends who need support due to illness, disability or age. We raise awareness about carers’ issues, identify carers and provide carers with information and emotional support, short breaks and training.

 

We want all carers to feel valued and to receive the information, care and support they deserve.

  1. Carers will be informed, empowered and confident
  2. Carers will have improved health and well-being
  3. Carers will be less isolated
  4. Carers will be trained and supported to care
  5. Carers will be financially better off
  6. Carers will have regular time off from caring
  7. A strong and effective carers organisation

Bolton Carers Support is a well-established, confidential, first point of contact for carers. We meet the individual needs of carers by providing information, advice and emotional support. We engage, enable and empower carers to fulfil their caring role. We care...because you do.

We

  • listen and give carers time to talk
  • have respect for each other
  • treat carers as individuals
  • encourage carers to support each other

We are

* non-judgemental • inclusive and non-discriminatory • professional • friendly, approachable and trustworthy • committed to providing the best service

We also

* go the extra mile • strive to improve • support each other in our work • show integrity in our work • work as a team

The Staff Team

We currently have 8 members of staff.

Georgette Kay, Chief Officer -  Georgette supervises the staff team, oversees Bolton Carers Support’s development and supports the trustees. As Chief Officer, Georgette ensures that the organisation achieves its goals (as set out in the Strategy / Action Plan), develops policies and procedures to ensure the service is well-run and effective, secures funding and sets up new areas of work. As Company Secretary, Georgette is responsible for filing Annual Returns and Accounts with the Charity Commission and Companies House. georgette@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Bev Strang, Carers Information and Advice Service Officer -  Bev produces the Carers Contact newsletter, the Fact-sheets and all our information materials. In addition, Bev keeps the website up-to-date, works on the Carers Helpline dealing with enquiries from carers and health / care professionals and provides Information and Advice appointments at Thicketford Centre. bev@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Melissa Taylor, Health Linkworker - Melissa is responsible for raising awareness of carers’ needs amongst health professionals and works on specific initiatives to provide better information and support for carers. As part of her job, Melissa updates the Carers Noticeboards in many GP surgeries, and ensures information is widely distributed  to health professionals via a bi-monthly e-bulletin called ‘Caring Matters’. Melissa splits her time between Bolton Carers Support and the Clinical Commissioning Group. melissa@boltoncarersupport.co.uk or melissa.taylor2@nhs.net

 

Peter Harmer, Activities Co-ordinator - Peter arranges a regular programme of short breaks for carers, and additional breaks for carers to attend with the person they look after. The role also involves co-ordinating a varied programme of workshops, short courses and learning days on a wide range of topics – some are caring related, while others are for relaxation or personal development. Special events are organised for Carers Week and Carers Rights Day. peter@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Elaine Holt, Benefits Adviser - Elaine provides a dedicated service for Carer’s: offering advice, support and assistance with all aspects of Welfare Benefit issues.  Home Visits are available for Carer’s over 65 on Monday and Tuesdays and office appointments are available on Wednesdays for Carer’s under 65.  Elaine’s aim is to ensure that Welfare Advice provision is available to all Carer’s over 18 years of age living in Bolton so that they are able to make informed choices about the options open to them, and that the complexities of the Welfare Benefit system does not form barriers to positive life changes.  elaine@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Zoe Hill, Outreach Worker - Zoe’s role includes identifying hidden carers, signposting them to information and support and raising awareness generally within the local community.  Zoe achieves this by running various information points and carers cafés at different locations in Bolton where carers can come along and meet other carers, gain information and support and take time out from their caring responsibilities.  Zoe also delivers presentations and talks to organisations and community groups which helps to raise awareness of Bolton Carers Support by providing up-to-date information about who we are and how we can support carers. zoe@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Angela Paggett, Information and Advice Service - Angela works on the Carers Helpline dealing with enquiries from carers and health / care professionals and provides Information and Advice appointments at Thicketford Centre.  angela@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Laurent Fernandez-Moreno, Time For You Project Worker - Laurent is responsible for the "Time for You” project which will provide a sitting service for carers.  Working with Mhist, Band, Senior Solutions and Age UK it will cover all areas of caring and allow carers to take a break, attend appointments and meet up with friends. It will be supported by a team of volunteers, recruited and trained by Bolton Carers Support and carefully matched to support the carers needs.  laurent@boltoncarersupport.co.uk

 

Our Trustees

As a charity, our governing body is a Management Committee. It is comprised of the charity’s trustees, with the Chief Officer (the Company Secretary) in attendance.

Legally and financially responsible for the organisation, the Management Committee leads Bolton Carers Support, developing long-term plans (our Strategy) and monitors progress to make sure work is on track. In a nutshell, the Committee ensures that the staff team know what they are meant to be doing, have the resources to do it, and does it well.

Current trustees

Chair: Anne Oakes

Honorary Treasurer: Simon Thompson

Enid Brooks

Sue Foster

Abeda Hanslod

Caroline Hilton

Tim Hilton

Harry Mistry

Anne Bain

Sally Cooper

Ian Cooper

Ayleen Benischke

 

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