BUILDING work has started on the £250,000 carers' centre in Leigh which will give good samaritans the chance to off-load their problems to a private counsellor.

The new development in Charles Street, Leigh - an annex to Pensioners Link - has been funded by the National Lottery Charities Board, Wigan Council and Wigan and Bolton Health Authority.

The centre will offer a comprehensive service to carers with information accessed via a state of the art database.

There will also be a carers' support worker who will work with individual carers and a private counselling room where they can share their troubles.

Spokesperson, Carole Rawson, said: "On average one in seven within the borough is a carer, they can be relative, friend or neighbour. In fact many people do not even recognise themselves as a carer.

"They provide a vital role in society and are undervalued by many people who do not understand the tremendous strain that they can be under.

"Here there will be a place where they are understood and given the support they need."

The carers' helpline is open 365 days a year and will also be operating from the new centre on 01942 606086.

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