THE bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond will be the setting for a special event next week (Thursday 21 April) when HRH The Princess Royal meets with West Dunbartonshire’s hard-working carers.
As the President of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, The Princess Royal will be joining carers at Cameron House Hotel.
The visit is in recognition of the training that carers have done over the past year through The Princess Royal Trust Carers of West Dunbartonshire centre.
It is also a ‘thank- you’ for the support of Cameron House Hotel, which provides free respite breaks for unpaid carers in its lodges.
Carers of West Dunbartonshire offers training for unpaid carers aimed at helping them to manage their caring role and take care of their own health.
Because caring for someone can often limit a person’s ability to travel, training is offered in different venues throughout West Dunbartonshire and is tailored to fit different needs.
The centre offers a variety of training and topics include looking after your money, stress management and relaxation, first aid awareness, moving and assisting and creating confidence.
As well as training, the centre provides carers with information on all aspects of caring, help to understand how social care systems work, support to access respite and short breaks, a confidential listening ear, help with the benefits system, outreach services and the chance to meet other people who also care for someone.
The centre currently supports more than 500 carers in the West Dunbartonshire area.
The Princess Royal will be met by Florence Burke, Director for Scotland for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers when she arrives at Cameron House at 9.45am.
Ms Burke will introduce her to the Carers of West Dunbartonshire’s manager, Kim McNab and Colin Williams, the centre’s chair.
She will meet with the carers who took part in the training and will also be introduced to Clydebank family Joyce, Jack and John Darroch who are staying in one of the hotel’s lodges free of charge.
Joyce and Jack care for their son John, 42, who has Down’s Syndrome.
Carers of West Dunbartonshire manager, Kim McNab, said: “It’s vital that carers can access the knowledge and skills that will help them to carry out their caring role.
“Paid workers can usually get training, but those who look after family members are expected to do it without any kind of training or advice.
“We’re very grateful to Cameron House Hotel for the support we and local carers have received.
“As well as the regular respite breaks, the hotel holds a charity golf event on our behalf and provided a free lunch for 80 carers.”
Joyce Darroch, who has used the centre’s services for many years, added: “Going to the lodge is a lovely treat. We really appreciate the support that the hotel has given to carers and the centre. It’s so nice to be able to go to such a lovely place and relax for a few days.”
Stephen Carter OBE, managing director of Cameron House, added: “Cameron House has formed a good relationship with Carers of West Dunbartonshire.
“The hotel recognises the valuable contribution which carers make to the local community and we are keen to offer our support and to see carers benefitting from the partnership which we have with the Carers’ Centre.”
For more information, please contact Emma Baird, Press and PR Manager (Scotland) for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on 0141 285 7938/07791 230261 or email: ebaird@carers.org
ENDS
Media Invitation:
Press photographers are welcome to take photographs of HRH The Princess Royal upon her arrival at Cameron House and when she presents the awards to the carers.
All press who would like to attend will need to notify Emma Baird on the above number or by email by 18 April. Photographs of the event will be available for media use after – contact Emma Baird as detailed previously with any requirements.
Interviews:
Journalists who would like to interview Kim McNab, Carers of West Dunbartonshire manager or Colin Williams, chairman of the centre, or a carer should contact Emma Baird on the number above.
Journalists who would like to speak to Stephen Carter, managing director for Cameron House on Loch Lomond, or who would like to find out more about the hotel should contact Laura Campbell at Profile Plus on 0131 554 6111 or email: laura@profileplus.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1) Established in 2007, Carers of West Dunbartonshire (a network member of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers) provides a wide range of support services. In 2009/2010, the centre supported more than 500 individual carers in the West Dunbartonshire area. The centre contact details are: 84 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank G81 1UG, telephone 0141 941 1550 or clydebankcc@carerswd.org
2) The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is one of the largest providers of comprehensive carers support services in the UK. Through its unique network of 144 independently managed Carers’ Centres, 89 young carers’ services and interactive websites, www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net, The Trust currently provides quality information, advice and support services to more than 424,000 carers, including approximately 28,500 young carers.
3) In Scotland, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers currently helps more than 49,000 adult and more than 4,000 young carers in Scotland to cope with their caring role through a network of 29 Carers’ Centres and 24 young carers’ services.
4) A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help because of age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.
5) Cameron House on Loch Lomond is a five-star resort located on the bonnie banks of one of Scotland’s most famous natural attractions, with mountain views across the loch to the breathtaking Ben Lomond. Just 30 minutes from Glasgow but a world away from the buzz of the city, with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park unfurling on its doorstep, the resort offers beauty, luxury and tranquillity combined with friendly Scottish service and a variety of ways to enjoy your stay. www.cameronhouse.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Emma Baird
Phone: 0141 285 7938/07791 230261
Email: ebaird@carers.org
Website: http://www.carers.org
