THE Fed has been awarded almost £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to support its Carers' Project.

The cash will go towards running activities to maintain the wellbeing of carers as well as the salary of a care advice worker at the Prestwich-based community group and care home.

Notifying The Fed of its award, the Big Lottery Fund said: “Receiving this award is a mark of the quality of the work you are doing in your community.”

Sara Ogden-Thomson, The Fed’s all age services manager, said: “It will make such a difference to the lives of the many carers who turn to us for support.

"These are people who are looking after a loved one but not being paid for it like someone who works as a carer in a care home."

The Fed offers one-to-one support for carers through their advice workers, and has number of groups for carers, including a Carers' Forum and Carers’ Support Group where people can meet to share and discuss their experiences.

They also hold a fortnightly Carers’ Coffee Morning, which meets in The Central Cafe at Heathlands Village, allowing people caring for a family member or friend to socialise with people in similar situations.

There is also a male carers Purple Group, which meets monthly in the Purple Room at Heathlands Village, to share a meal and give mutual support.