Caring for the carers

Miranda DeBlasio: “I’m chuffed to pieces and overwhelmed, but completely floored.”

Today’s Pride in Oldham nominee
A WOMAN who makes it possible for Oldham’s unpaid carers to get the support and advice they need to continue caring for a loved one has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Miranda DeBlasio works for the Gaddum charity, based at the Link Centre in Union Street, Oldham.

She is responsible for the day-to-day running of Oldham Carers Centre, which provides aid services to around 800 carers.

It had only 270 registered carers 12 months ago, but a massive push by the charity to encourage carers to take advantage of the help it has to offer has seen a threefold rise.

Always keen to take the opportunity to publicise the work of the charity, Miranda (39) said it was just the tip of the iceberg.

She explained: “There were 23,000 carers in Oldham according to the 2001 census, but there are just 5,000 recognised in local services.”

Miranda lives in Royton with her five-year-old son, Jack, and is herself a carer — for her Italian parents, Andrea and Maria DeBlasio.

Delighted to learn she had been nominated, she said: “I’m chuffed to pieces and overwhelmed, but completely floored.”

She was put forward by Yvonne Nema for help Miranda gave her in caring for her mother, Carol Thornton.

Yvonne said: “When you feel alone and there’s no one backing you it’s very stressful. Miranda is lovely — she always has time to help and listen.”





To nominate someone for a Pride in Oldham award, tell us:

The name of the person or group nominated

A contact number for them, if known

Their job title and place of work, if relevant

Your reason for the nomination

Your name

Your contact number

Send your info by email to editorial@oldham-chronicle.co.uk, marked “Pride in Oldham Awards, 2008




Pride in Oldham is supported by:

Innovative Technology

J W Lees Brewery

Molnlycke Health Care

Northern Counties Housing Association

Oldham Council

University Centre Oldham

Warburtons