HRH The Princess Royal to meet carers at Carers Lewisham

Local carers’ charity is celebrating 21 years of supporting carers in the Borough

Carers Lewisham will mark their 21 years of supporting local carers when HRH The Princess Royal will join the celebrations during her visit to the centre on Thursday 28th May 2009.

As President of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, of which Carers Lewisham has been affiliated for the last decade, HRH The Princess Royal will hear during her visit how local carers look after relatives or friends who are sick, disabled, frail or have a mental health or substance misuse problem.

HRH The Princess Royal will also have the opportunity to hear about the work of Carers Lewisham, and to meet carers who have used the various services including; information and advice, advocacy, counselling, therapy, support groups, respite care and young carers support groups and activities.

Carers Lewisham, established in 1988, provides a wide range of support services to over 4,000 carers and 500 young carers. However, there are an estimated 19,000 carers in the Borough who are caring for someone who is unable to manage without help and support, many of whom don’t recognise themselves as carers and are unaware of the support that is available to them.

For many years HRH The Princess Royal has worked to promote the cause and contribution of the UK’s six million carers, who often face a life of poverty, isolation and stress due to their caring role. The Trust was created in 1991, and during that time, HRH The Princess Royal has met many carers and visited The Trust’s numerous carers’ centres across the country.

For further media information please contact Sarah Ross, PR Manager, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on 0208 498 7920 / 07791 230 694 or email sross@carers.org.