Harborough charity is asking local carers – can we help you take on and tackle the Covid-19 pandemic?

A leading Harborough charity is asking local carers – can we help you take on and tackle the Covid-19 pandemic?

The generous new offer of support is being made by the historic Market Harborough and the Bowdens (MHBC).

Charity chairman Adrian Trotter said: “A recent report of the Alzheimer’s Society has revealed the catastrophic effect that the coronavirus has had on people with dementia and their carers.

“However, it’s not just sufferers from dementia who will have been affected.

“Harborough has a large population of older people, as well as younger people who need help.

“We are keen to develop a better understanding of the facts and explore how we can contribute to the solutions.”

The Alzheimer’s Society study showed family and friends had spent a staggering extra 92 million hours caring for loved ones with dementia since the national lockdown was initially imposed on Monday March 23.

It also revealed that 95 per cent of family carers said that providing this additional care had impacted negatively on their physical or mental health.

At the same time people with dementia have also deteriorated over the last eight months.

Market Harborough and the Bowdens believes it is inevitable that the coronavirus crisis will have seriously affected many carers in Harborough.

To try to build up a better picture, the charity is asking carers:

What voluntary organisation do you belong to, or did you attend, that has been unable to meet?

What facility has been forced to close which provided your only respite as a carer?

If the weather prevents you meeting up with friends for companionship outdoors, where do you go?

How could the charity make a difference to you?

“MHBC is keen to establish the facts and to understand the true picture of what is not happening in Harborough - and where the charity might be able in some small way to make a real difference in people’s lives.

“The charity is not in a position to solve everyone’s problem,” said Adrian.

“We don’t wish to raise people’s expectations only for them to be dashed.

“But we are more likely to be able to assist if we understand the true picture of the need which exists on our doorstep, some of which is currently hidden.”

If you are a carer and would like to provide feedback to the charity you can email [email protected], ring 01858 419128 or use Facebook messenger.