People who provide round the clock care for elderly relatives will get the chance to indulge themselves for a change when a new respite care club opens this month.

Age Concern is launching a day centre at St George's, Chippenham Road, as part of a pilot scheme aimed at people who care for sick and disabled loved ones.

The club will provide a centre for carers to meet people in similar situations in their area and will give them a chance to think about themselves for a while.

Julie Marcroft, from Havering Age Concern, said: "We are looking at people who are over 60 and who have a carer or who care for someone. We hope to give them the chance to get out, have a chat and meet new people.

She said: "Sometimes carers can go all week without speaking to anyone other than the person they care for but we hope to bring them together and give them a chance to do what they want for a change."

The club will provide an opportunity for carers to drop-off their charge in safe and comfortable surroundings while they go off and do some shopping or just take a break.

Julie hopes the club will also become a centre for carers to meet and discuss their situation with other carers and hopefully forge some friendships with people they might walk past in the street every day.

Age Concern carried out extensive surveys before choosing where to start up these new clubs and say they found a real lack of facilities in Harold Hill.

Julie said: "When we came to Harold Hill we saw groups of elderly people enjoying sitting outside on benches but not talking to each other, we hope the new club will act as an ice-breaker and encourage new friendships among these people."

The club will be holding an open day on Tuesday, April 29 at the St George's Centre, Chippenham Road, Harold Hill between 10am and 2.30pm for more information call Julie Marcroft on 01708 796600.

Published Friday, April 18, 2003

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