Lynda Harrison – Training & Liaison Co-Ordinator

Hello everyone and welcome, my name is Lynda Harrison and I work for Crossroads Wigan and Leigh, initially my role was to market and publicise the project which is funded by the Big Lottery. However, I have now taken over as Training and Liaison Coordinator and I am now responsible for managing the project.
To date I have had the privilege of meeting many unpaid Carers, who without a doubt are doing an absolutely fantastic job of caring and supporting their loved ones. I already feel I have made many new friends.
Crossroads recognise the important and valuable part that unpaid Carers play within our community and are acutely aware that Carers need to be supported and valued, in order to maintain their own wellbeing and meet their own goals and aspirations. I hope over the coming months to meet many more of you and sincerely hope you will take up the free training opportunities which we offer.
We are able to offer free training opportunities to unpaid Carers in the Wigan Borough. The training does not have to be employment related or linked to your caring role, the training opportunities cover a vast range of subjects which you can choose from and link to a personal interest or hobby.
We are also aware of the barriers that Carers have to negotiate every day, to help support this the project offers respite care to the cared for, in order to allow the Carer to access training. Qualified care support workers will carry out a short assessment of need once respite is requested, and where possible the cared for will be encouraged to take part in a community activity supported by a care support worker. If you would like to take part in any training and need to access our respite provision in order to be available to partake we would be happy to hear from you.
We also publish a quarterly newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy of our newsletter please contact us with your details and we will add you to our mailing list.
If you have any information you feel may be of benefit to other unpaid Carers please let us know and we will endeavour to have it included on the website or in our next newsletter. 
We also take young carers on activity days, some typical examples of the types of activities are:

• An activity weekend residential at Lakeside
• Chill Factor at Trafford
• Holmescales Activity Centre in Kendal

My best wishes to you all
Lynda