Pamper day enables carers to take some well-earned time off
Fifty carers attended the annual event at the Southgate Hotel in Exeter, which is sponsored by the Echo's We Care campaign.
Therapists, beauticians, students and care support workers were all on hand to give carers the attention they often miss out on.
Denise Knowles, volunteer co-ordinator and carers' support worker at St Thomas Medical Group, gathered 40 volunteers to provide their services.
She said: "These people have given their time for free. We try to make sure all the carers have the treatments if they want it. This is the first year we have had so many new people come. It is lovely."
Eighteen manicures, 12 pedicures, 12 makeovers, six facials and six Indian head massages were provided by students from Exeter College.
Professionals offered hypnotherapy, acupuncture and reflexology as well as workshops in bag making and card making.
Sue Hooper-Lawrie, 50, of Redhills, cares for her partner, Paula Rees, who suffers from numerous health problems and has recently undergone a quadruple heart bypass. She said: "I am always on call. If I get an alert I have to race home and see to her.
"This day gives us an opportunity to have a break. Often carers are so busy doing what they do for others that they don't stop to think about themselves.
"It is also good to see so many other people here in a similar situation because you are often very isolated as a carer.
"We don't sit around talking about our woes and our worries but it is nice to know there are other people out there."
Judith Henshaw, 74, from Whitestone, was at the event for the third year running with her neighbours Judy Lemon, 82, and Diane Tattersfield, 67.
Mrs Henshaw said: "This is a chance to have fun with my friends and neighbours who are also carers. It is time out for a laugh and a relax."
Mrs Lemon added: "It is a lovely day just for me to enjoy myself with my friends."
Community matron Sarah Garnsworthy was carrying out blood pressure checks for the carers, while the 16 students did the therapies and treatments.
The college's beauty therapy NVQ team leader Margarita Smith said the students had been a credit to the college.
She said: "This gives them fantastic experience. They have worked really hard and everyone seems to have enjoyed it."
The Lord Mayor, John Winterbottom, was invited to draw the raffle, which was sponsored by local businesses. Organisers thanked the Southgate Hotel for their support and hoped to continue the partnership by arranging a similar event next year.
