Charity Carers’ Resource held an open day yesterday to mark 10 years since the opening of its Bradford office.

Staff and volunteers hosted a drop-in for visitors to find out more about how the organisation supports unpaid carers. A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability

Carers, professionals from health and social care, and politicians attended the market stall-style event, which showcased how Carers’ Resource staff work with carers one-to-one, provide group activities and outings, and give information to adult and young carers.

Other colleagues who explained their areas of work were carer navigators, who support carers in hospitals; Home from Hospital; the volunteer co-ordinator; fundraisers; work-based scheme CReate; paid-for not-for-profit care service Care @ Carers’ Resource; and Worth Connecting, which helps people aged 55 and over to get online.

Visitors to the Shipley office were encouraged to put something in a time capsule that will be opened in 10 years’ time. Items included were an article featuring the charity getting its first contract to work with carers in the district, its Choices newsletter from 2009 featuring the opening of the Shipley office, and photos.

Commissioning programme lead for carers in Leeds, Ian Brooke-Mawson, worked in the commissioning team in Bradford 10 years ago when Carers’ Resource was given the adult carers contract for the district.

He was a guest at the open day and said: “What Carers’ Resource brought was an absolute passion for supporting carers. Whereas lots of organisations know about carers, Carers’ Resource is a carers’ organisation: carer-led. Everything they do and believe in is about carers. That’s what sets them apart.”

Marlene Thomas, 60, of Holme Wood, who gave up work to care for her mum, was at the open day and explained how she got involved with Carers’ Resource seven years ago when she received a leaflet about the charity’s services. She said: “It took me another two years to pluck up the courage to contact them and to understand they were there to help carers, because I didn’t recognise myself as a carer.

“I was caring for my mum, taking her to the hospital and doing everyday jobs such as cooking, washing, cleaning, and making sure she had the right medication. To me that was just a daughter’s duty, not that it was under an umbrella of caring. I didn’t link the two.”

Ms Thomas visited Parliament with Carers’ Resource and spoke to MPs about her experience of being a carer. She said Carers’ Resource helped her to understand what do if her mum was ill, explained her entitlement from paid support workers, and helped her to attend courses to build her confidence and self-esteem.

She added: “I also went to knitting and crafting groups, and I took advantage of all the charity’s courses that were available. I felt I wasn’t as isolated as before. Knowing someone is there makes me feel good.”

Barbara Hargreaves, 81, from Ilkley, cared for her husband, who had vascular dementia before his death. She said: “Carers’ Resource supported me amazingly when I was looking after my husband, so I’m a volunteer here now. I came to the event to see if there was anything I could do to help, but also to help celebrate.

“Over the past 10 years I’ve been given emotional support, when people have been there for me to talk to. When I really needed it they referred me to the doctor and social workers. They helped me fill in forms and were simply available without being intrusive, and that was just brilliant.

“My husband eventually had to go into care, as night care at home wasn’t available, and he was there for 10 months before he died. Carers’ Resource didn’t stop supporting me at that point, they continued, which is what I really needed.”

Carers’ Resource chief executive Chris Whiley cut a cake with head of operations in Bradford Jan Burrows. Ms Whiley said: “Who would have guessed that those of you who were at the launch in this room 10 years ago would be here again today, and now we’re a much bigger, stronger organisation.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everybody involved with Carers’ Resource. Here’s to the next 10 years.”