A NEW hub for carers has opened in Accrington and a host of activities and events are planned to coincide with National Carers Week next week.

The new base for Carers Link which includes a charity shop, cafe, community garden and drop-in information centre has been described as ‘the biggest thing for Carers Link Lancashire in almost 20 years’ by the organisation’s chief executive Rebecca Hodgson.

The centre on Blackburn Road has been created from two former shops and upstairs offices will also be home to the 30 full and part-time staff who work for Carers Link.

“It has always been our dream to open a community facility,” said carer support worker Emma Logan, “so we are delighted to finally be able to open the doors and to welcome people.”

“This is just huge for us,” added Rebecca Hodgson. “It will be a one-stop shop not just for the services that we offer but also as a community hub.”

The cafe will be open six days a week and when fully operational from June 26 will serve a range of meals. It already offers hot drinks and snacks.

Carers Link operates across Hyndburn, the Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale and provides advice and access to services for those caring for others.

Currently 9,500 carers are registered with it.

“It is estimated that around one-in-six people in East Lancashire are actually carers for someone,” said Emma, “so by rights we should have over 40,000 registered with us.

“The new base is somewhere that people can just pop into and have a cup of coffee or browse in the shop. It is a community resource for everyone.”

For National Carers Week special events are planned every day next week starting today with a Carers Community Fest which will feature a barbecue and live performances.

Other events during the week include crafty carers on Monday with a series of craft sessions throughout the day, DIY gardens on Tuesday where there will be advice on building window boxes and bird tables, cake galore on Wednesday where members of the Carers Link team will be on hand to chat and feel good Friday where free health checks will be available.

During the day on Thursday there will be a cheese fest day with special cheese related dishes being served in the cafe and in the evening there will be a fundraising cheese and wine tasting with live music from Logan and Manley. All the events apart from the cheese and wine evening are free and tickets for that are available by ringing 01254 387444.

“Carers are people who need support,” said Emma. “You would never do a job for 24 hours a day, seven days a week without holidays and yet that is what being a carer is like for so many people.

“The new centre is somewhere for carers to come along to and get advice or just relax in the cafe. It’s likely that they will meet fellow carers and discover that the problems they are facing are not unique to them.

“It is a very exciting time for us,” said Emma. “Now we just want to invite everyone to come along and see us. We are not just here for carers but for everyone.”

The centre will open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.