I AM a carer and a former carer. I am also a volunteer at Bolton Carers Support.

Many years ago when my late mum became ill and required help, I became her carer.

Once, at my wits end I spoke to my GP in desperation and he put me in touch with Carers Support. In tears, I telephoned and spoke to a lovely lady who gave me a lot of helpful information. The rest they say is history.

Without Bolton Carers Support's help, my mum would have been in a home which would have been hell for her and would have cost the State a lot of money. She stayed at home. Alas the last time she was admitted to hospital, she passed away. Because of Bolton Carers Support I got the help I needed and so did mum.

I also cared sometimes for an elderly friend, going out for walks, giving her some company and having a good 'natter.' I am now a carer for my husband who is active but needs a little help every now and again. Even now Bolton Carers Support give me advice. To pay them back for the help I now volunteer as a telephone befriender. The service is fairly new but I like to think it is making a difference to the carers who are isolated ad without family help. There are four people I speak to and we talk about almost everything. A survey was done and it gave a good feedback. This service could now be cancelled because of a lack of funds.

Without the Bolton Carers Support there will be a lot of carers of all ages left out in the cold with nowhere and no one to turn to for help. There are lots of hidden carers out there especially young children who slip through the help net and Bolton Carers Support is trying to rectify this.

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