Breadcrumb Trail
Angela's on track for nursing
Talking to 33 year old Angela Hockenhull from Sale, you begin to realise the importance of Trafford Carers Centre's work and why the council's recent £1m grant is so vital. As she herself said, the support she and her family has received from the centre has, quite literally, "given me my life back".
For the past two years Angela has cared for her 97 year old mother in law. The rollercoaster of emotions built up to the point where she just did not know what to do, where to turn or what the future held for her.
With a young daughter and a husband who also has significant health problems, Angela couldn't carry on, became ill and was admitted to hospital with renal failure.
"Like many people, caring had become part of my life. I thought I could cope but couldn't. While my mother in law is great and remarkably independent, the pressure of juggling everything became too much," she said.
"You don't realise how bad things are getting. If it hadn't been for the carers centre I dread to think what would have happened - life at that time was just so awful."
It was a carers centre leaflet that came with the carers allowance information pack Angela had applied for that was her breakthrough.
"I rang the centre and from that moment everything changed. I could never thank Yvonne, my case worker, enough.
"She organised everything for me so quickly. Firstly respite care so I could have a break, then daily home care support. She helped us as a family find ways of dealing with the situation that suited us all.
"What's ironic is that now I work part time for the same homecare company that supports me - so as well as being grateful, I know that my experiences are helping others in a similar situation," she said.
"I've always wanted to do a degree and become a nurse - two years ago that possibility couldn't have been further from my thoughts, or my grasp. But now I'm going to Salford University in September! Who would have believed that my life could be so 'on track'.
"Yvonne and the carers centre have helped make this happen. They've brought our family life back together, for that they have our eternal thanks. Their support has seen my family reunited and looking forward to a bright, secure future," she said.
If you care for someone and need support contact Trafford Carers Centre on 0161 861 0101.
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