Around 250 carers across Merseyside have been treated to afternoon tea today as part of a ‘thank you’ from local organisations for their efforts during the pandemic.
The project, which coincides with National Carers Week, follows a similar initiative in December which saw deliveries of traditional Christmas day lunch to around 100 older people in Wirral.
In New Ferry, at the Windsor Close Community Centre, Age UK Wirral teamed up with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), to deliver afternoon teas provided by Liverpool Football Club to carers around Wirral. birkenhead.news went along to find out more.
Bernie Mooney is the Support and Engagement Manager at AgeUK, who have been holding a club has at the centre every Thursday since 19 May and another group in Wallasey every Friday, since 20 May, when they were able to reopen again.
“Everybody will know that people with dementia have really, really suffered over lockdown and we were very keen to reopen as quickly as we could. We hold cognitive stimulation sessions for people with mild to moderate dementia. The aim is to keep people as independent as possible and to fight social isolation.”, Bernie told us.
Mayor Cllr George Davies said, “In terms of what we’ve been going through over the past year with the pandemic, carers have been absolutely vital to many people who rely solely on their carer helping them out. Anything we can do to help those people, in any way, shape, or form should be done.”
Bernie Mooney continued, “This week is Carers’ Week, so we’ve got a couple of things on today. We have MFRS delivering afternoon teas provided by Liverpool Football Club to carers. For those able to visit the centre, they can pick up afternoon teas.
“Lockdown has been devastating for carers. The people here who they care for have dementia and they have a routine that they like to stick to.” Bernie added. “To be locked in 24 hours a day with somebody who has dementia is not easy. I feel really sorry for carers; they’ve had a really hard time through lockdown.”
Lynn Hughes, Head of Recruitment and Development at MFRS and Paul Kay, Group Manager Head of Community Safety, also at MFRS were helping out. Lynn said, “We’re all absolutely privileged to be part of today. Community is at the heart of everything we do at MFRS, so we want to give our thanks to the people who make such a difference in people’s lives.” Paul added, “It’s really important for MFRS in this project, to recognise the incredible work that carers across Merseyside have given to their friends, their families, and to local community members.”
Paul continued, “We’re really proud to be working with Liverpool Football Club and our partners to say thank you for the incredible work that the carers have undertaken.”
Bernie summed up todays afternoon tea project by saying, “You can’t look after the cared for, without looking after the carers as well.”
Facebook Comments