Caring partners

That's the Bury-based Carers Partnership which has launched a number of activities at its Hornby Street base.

To coincide with the National Carers Week, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillors John and Stella Smith, visited the Partnership. And the civic couple also opened the organisation's new courtyard.

Last year, the Partnership moved from cramped premises at the Seedfield Centre into more spacious headquarters. Activities at Hornby Street, aimed at providing time out for hard-working carers, include painting and drawing, beauty therapies, needlecraft and embroidery, a gentlemen's lunch club and therapy sessions.

Training sessions are also being held in healthy eating and Indian head massage.

The Partnership is a registered charity and voluntary organisation which looks after the interests of many adult and child carers. Staff wages are paid by social services. Mrs Claire Clayton, young carers officer, said: "We've been very successful since we moved last year. Things have really taken off since Christmas.

"A lot of the adults we deal with don't regard themselves as carers, even though they are looking after someone.

"We also support young carers up to the age of 18 who have taken on some of the responsibility for the care of another person. They usually look after an adult or another family member."

The newly-opened courtyard at Hornby Street was painted by the volunteers who were also involved in planting.