A centre which offers a lifeline to people who dedicate their lives to caring for relatives, friends or neighbours in Oxford has opened its new extension.

Oxford Carers’ Centre, in Bullingdon Road, opened its doors to members of the public on Thursday to show off the new reception and meeting areas and explain more about the wide-ranging services it can now offer.

Caroline Lattin-Rawstrone, information and events co-ordinator at the centre, said: “What this means is we will have more room to interview people when they come in and we will be able to offer a bit more privacy.”

The carers’ centre helps out more than 1,200 unpaid carers in the city of all ages, offering support, advice and information.Ms Lattin-Rawstrone said: “We are hoping by having expanded premises we will be able to offer better services to the people we support in Oxford.

“We offer emotional support, practical support in terms of making sure people have got benefits, but we also help to point them in the direction of where else they can get help and information.”

A new, large meeting room is part of the extension, which will allow the centre to hold group sessions for carers.

The old meeting room has been transformed into offices for carer support workers.

The situations and backgrounds of people who have to act as carers range widely.

Ms Lattin-Rawstrone explained: “It includes young carers, parents of children with a disability – right cross the board.

“We are supporting carers who are as young as five up to any age, we have some people who are 90 supporting their elderly husbands who are also in their 90s.”

It is planned to start a new, drop-in session at the centre, along with a carers’ group on Wednesday mornings in the new year.

Bridie Barry, 76, from Cowley, started using the centre three years ago.

Her daughter, who is 48, is severely mentally handicapped, and Mrs Barry is her main carer — and has been doing it virtually single-handedly since her husband died 13 years ago.

She said: “She is very vulnerable and I have always got to make sure she’s safe and secure.

“I have always got to plan ahead and make sure that there is support for her.”

She praised the centre for the help it provided and welcomed the new extension.

Mrs Barry said: “They are absolutely wonderful, they understand the problems a carer faces and they are also brilliant with help and advice.

“There is always someone to talk to. I think this new extension is excellent news and hopefully a lot more people will be able to use it and be made aware of this great facility.”

The centre is open between 10am and 4pm weekdays and can be contacted on 01865 205192.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk