Charity Begins at Wellington Square

The George Hardwick Foundation has taken a unit at Wellington Square to test the water on a temporary basis with a view to a permanent primary town centre location next year. Initially the charity will be based at the shopping centre until Christmas.

The former shop unit has been set up to provide a drop in centre for carers and to encourage more to register. Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. They give so much to society, yet as a consequence of caring, many people experience ill health, poverty and discrimination. The George Hardwick Foundation provides a support network for over 5000 carers through three centres based in Stockton, Middlesbrough and the new, innovative Carers and Patients Centre at North Tees Hospital.

Andy Mcmann, Strategic Manager at the George Hardwick Foundation said, “This is a great opportunity to be situated at the heart of the community in a busy shopping centre. There are a huge number of carers locally who aren’t registered with us, and we hope many will come into the unit and get a Carer’s Card, which will allow them to benefit from the services and advice we can offer to support them. It’s free and they also get discounts at local retail outlets as well.

“It’s also an opportunity for people to tell us what they want us to provide, and that will help us design the permanent unit we are planning next year.”

Rob Gildersleeve, centre manager at Wellington Square said: “We are delighted to be supporting this worthy cause, and raising the profile of what the George Hardwick Foundation does. People don’t realise how many families and friends provide full time care to a loved one, and carers often struggle financially and emotionally without proper support.

“We are hoping to join forces with the George Hardwick Foundation during our Christmas campaign to reward some of the carers that we find out about, and give them a Christmas treat.”

Wellington Square was opened in 2001, and is home to Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, New Look and H&M amongst a total of 40 shops and food outlets in the centre of Stockton-on-Tees. It has an 800 space car park adjacent to the centre.

Photo Caption – Rob Gildersleeve, Wellington Square centre manager, welcomes Andy McMann, strategic manager, and Ingrid Brough-Williams, fundraising and marketing executive for the George Hardwick Foundation.