Pam Ferris launches discount card for carers » Health » 24dash.com

One of the nation’s best-loved actresses returned to Hackney on Monday to launch a scheme allowing carers up to half price rates at the borough’s leisure centres.

Pam Ferris, who made her name as Ma Larkin in TV’s The Darling Buds of May, is Vice President of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, and spoke at a gathering of carers in the Town Hall of her own experiences as a carer for relatives.

She said: "This building has many memories for me, because the last time I was here was 21 years and one week ago exactly, when my husband and I got married.

"I have had two carers' experiences, and both of them have been in Hackney, firstly with my mother, and later in my life with my mother-in-law.

"I hope other boroughs follow this, because giving carers discounts with a card is a brilliant idea."

The Hackney Carers Discount Card allows concessionary rates of 50 per cent off-peak, and 30 per cent at peak times at Council leisure centres, managed by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), for carers in the borough.

This means that having a dip in the London Fields Lido, relaxing in a sauna, or a number of activities elsewhere at the Britannia, Kings Hall, Queensbridge, and West Reservoir centres can now be cheaper for Hackney’s estimated 18,000 carers.

The card also gives discounts at more than 50 shops, including Hackney pharmacies and health centres, and Dalston's Rio Cinema.

A carer can be of any age, and gives unpaid help and support to a friend, relative or neighbour who, due to a disability, illness or frailty, is unable to manage living in their own home without help.

For the past eight years, Anita Willis, 69, and her husband John, 65, have both been carers for Anita's mother Spodra, 90, who has cardiovascular senile dementia, at their home in Greenway Close, Stoke Newington.

Mrs Willis, a retired secretary for Help the Aged, said: "It's all the time - sometimes it's absolutely wonderful, sometimes you get really tense, but I know how good she was to us, and now I look after her.

"I think leisure activities will be really good as that's what you need most of all, you can come back refreshed. I'd like to go sailing.

"I'd certainly recommend carers getting in touch with Hackney social services, the help is wonderful, and it's all about your needs, they don't come to reorganise what you do."

The Carers Discount Card is part of the Hackney Carers Strategy, launched in June this year, which also includes a helpline; provision for additional respite breaks; access to the Council’s Income Maximisation Service; information packs; and free training and courses.

Other speakers at the launch included Cllr Katie Hanson, newly appointed lead member for carers, and Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, while Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, also attended the event.

“This is great news for Hackney’s carers, and demonstrates the Council's commitment to promoting their wellbeing,” Cllr Hanson said.

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