Mumsnet - Age Space founder Annabel James

A “Mumsnet for the middle-aged” website has launched aimed at Cheshire East residents.

And the founder of ‘Age Space’, an online hub offering advice and information for anyone caring for older relatives, is seeking support from groups and businesses across Crewe and Nantwich.

Annabel James is launching a regional Cheshire hub, after successfully establishing similar versions in Dorset and Norfolk.

Research shows more than 19% of the Cheshire East population is aged 65 or more – above the national average of 18%.

Age Space provides advice, signposting and support to thousands in those communities caring for older parents and relatives.

Now it is branching out across Cheshire and wants local care organisations, individuals and businesses to get behind the initiative.

Research commissioned by Age Space reveals that more than half of all Britons aged over 45 are already giving practical, financial, health or personal care to ageing parents.

NHS research also suggests that by 2050, the number of people aged over 65 will rise to one-in-four.

Annabel said: “More and more families are taking on the responsibility of looking after older relatives.

“But as more people take on that responsibility, they also take on the emotional, practical and financial burdens that come with caring for a loved one, and that can be extremely challenging.

“With Cheshire having a higher proportion of older people than the UK average, this is even more prevalent.

“The whole idea behind Age Space was to create a single source and a trusted guide for anyone with concerns about or caring for an elderly parent or relative.

“We know that people struggle with making important decisions on how to help.

“The information is often available, but it can be hard to find, particularly if you’re new to it all.

“People are calling us the ‘Mumsnet for the middle-aged’ as typically, it’s those of us aged between 45-65 – not always but quite often women – that take on the responsibility of looking after loved ones with failing health.

“We aim to provide support for people who have found themselves caring for parents or relatives with little prior knowledge or information, but we absolutely depend on the support of local organisations and businesses to make that possible.

“That’s why we’re seeking potential partners and collaborators to get in touch and support what we’re trying to do, so we can introduce Age Space to more people across Cheshire.”

The Cheshire website will signpost people to local services and offer guidance on care for the elderly, particularly around funding and choosing care.

There will also be a directory of local services for older people, a calendar of local activities, blog posts and articles from partners and supporters.

The website will feature an active community forum where people can share experiences and offer peer-to-peer support – much like the established Mumsnet website does for young parents.

Visit www.agespace.org or to become a partner and supporter, contact Annabel by emailing [email protected]

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