Royal visit for Shipley charity

At Bizspace we like to think we treat all our visitors like royalty, so we were absolutely delighted by a visit from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to our Parkview Court business centre in Shipley.

Her Royal Highness is the President of Carers Trust and was paying a visit to award-winning Yorkshire charity, The Carers’ Resource, which is based at the centre. The Carers’ Resource gives tailored support to unpaid carers, the people they care for and those in need of support. It is open to everyone and offers information, as well as practical and emotional help, to enable carers and clients to cope and have a positive experience of caring.

Sharing experiences

On the day, Andrew Cozens, Chairman of Carers Trust, introduced Her Royal Highness to Carers’ Resource Director Anne Smyth OBE and the Chairman David Harbourne. Her Royal Highness also met carers, volunteers, staff, trustees, funders, supporters and stakeholders.

Anne says: “I was able to present many staff, carers and volunteers to Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and they all enjoyed talking and sharing their experiences with her.

“Her Royal Highness was really interested to hear about our information and support services for carers, our direct care service, Home from Hospital and our employment and training service.

“It has been a wonderful way to start the New Year, and sets the stage for our 20th anniversary celebrations in the summer.”

A visit to remember

Her Royal Highness unveiled a commemorative plaque at the business centre and spoke with empathy about carers and their need for ‘unique’ support.

She told guests: “The evolving issue of carers in the community, and how we reach out to them with the right level of support, is difficult.

“Sometimes becoming a carer happens abruptly and people aren’t prepared for it. There is a danger they can become isolated from friends and family, so having a network of support to help pick up the pieces is important.”

She added that organisations need to work in partnership – as Carers’ Resource is doing – to provide a range of support, and said employers also play an important role.

“If we find the right solution for carers, the cared-for person will also have a better quality of life in the long run,” she said.

Carers’ Resource has been based in Parkview Court business centre for five years and occupies two units with 36 staff at the site.  The charity supports unpaid carers in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven, Harrogate and Ripon, through one-to-one support, casework, information, support groups and advice.

Anne Smyth added: “The royal visit was a great success and we would also like to thank our neighbours at Parkview Court for their cooperation and support.”

Sought after business accommodation

Our Parkview Court Business Centre comprises a mix of modern office space and studio space for rent. Its landscaped gardens make for a scenic work environment and free car parking facilities are available on-site.

For the latest availability on our sought-after business units, contact Business Centre Manager, Debbi Gillham, on 01422 330 433 or email mail.shipley@bizspace.co.uk.