FOR Bolton’s silent army of carers, life can be lonely.

There are at least 30,649 people caring for friends and family in the borough, and many of us will assume the role of carer at some point in our lives.

But Bolton’s carers – who make up at least 11 per cent of the borough’s population – can suffer at the hands of social isolation.

Almost 8,000 carers in Bolton are thought to provide 50 hours or more of unpaid work each week, and these people are twice as likely to experience poor health themselves.

With hectic schedules and little time for relaxation, it is no surprise carers can struggle.

But a project is helping put smiles back on the faces of Breightmet’s carers by bringing them together to make friends, share their experiences and enjoy some much-needed "me time".

The Breightmet Carers Project is based at Red Lane Church, off Newby Road, and is open to all carers in Breightmet.

It offers much-needed respite by providing free, regular activities including coffee mornings, yoga, painting, poetry and cinema nights to encourage friendships, combat social isolation and financial exclusion and improve health, wellbeing and self-confidence.

The project also gives carers access to holistic therapies and workshops on topics like feeling happier and anger management.

A six-month pilot was funded by Bolton Community Homes at the beginning of the year and has been run by the carers and volunteers with support from Great Places Housing Group.

With this soon to be completed, it is hoped the group – which regularly supports 12 carers – will be able to run itself.

Jayne Horan, aged 47, looks after both her parents – working up to 70 hours a week – and was forced to give up her job when the 12-hour shifts became too much.

She said: “The best thing about the project is that we are all in the same position so we can relate to what each other is going through.”

Morag Beard, of Chronnell Drive, has been caring for her 60-year-old neighbour Linda for nearly two years.

The 57-year-old said: “There is always someone to talk to — when I am caring I am with the same person all day.

“It is nice to have friends I can see and that I can join in with activities like curling and the cinema nights.”

Linsey Buchanan, of Deepdale Road, has been looking after her 54-year-old mum Lorraine — who suffers from a range of conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic asthma — for six years.

The 35-year-old mum-of-four, who also volunteers for the project, is an only child — meaning the responsibility for helping her mum rests squarely on her shoulders.

She said: “I do not see it as a burden because she is my mum. I just do it and I do enjoy it, but some days it can be hard.

“Being a carer, your social life suffers. This has been brilliant — we are like a big family.”

Organiser Nick Shea, community development coordinator at Great Places Housing Group, said the project had been “eye-opening”.

She said: “It has really opened my eyes to the juggling act carers go through on a daily basis.

“This can range from feeling socially isolated to having to leave work – even coping with their own illnesses and their own families while caring.

“The carers I have worked with are truly amazing people. We laugh constantly and pull together as a team. I am proud to say everyone has formed a really close-knit group.”

Carers are also a priority for Bolton’s health bosses, who are urging them to make their GPs aware of their situation so they can be offered extra help and annual health checks.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) clinical director for primary care and health improvement, said: “For many people in Bolton the care, compassion and dedication of their carer is vital.

“Carers are essentially an informal extension of the NHS, tirelessly providing excellent care for those who need it most. We could not manage without them.”

Anyone who would like to join the Breightmet carers group can call Nick on 0161 9257990.