Blackpool carers building better future with DIY SOS and BBC Children in Need

By janarchypr.co.uk

28 Jun 2016

Ever watched BBC Children in Need - and cried at the challenges some youngsters face?

Ever watched BBC DIY SOS and shared tears of joy at a transformation of a property which extends way beyond bricks and mortar to touch on the very fabric of family life and help hold it all together?

Stand by with the hankies, folks, because a building ransacked by metal thieves is set to be transformed over coming days into a new centre for young carers in Blackpool.

The BBC DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need set to be broadcast in November.

Children in Need have long assisted Blackpool Carers Centre, a network partner of the national Carers Trust, with the quality of life of young local carers through respite and play.

But the makeover of the carers' centre-in-waiting represents support on a epic scale which will change lives of unpaid carers for the better in Blackpool.

The stately Victorian property on Newton Drive, formerly the base of NHS run child development service Blenheim House, will be made over inside and out - with an acre of grounds in a neglected state too.

The DIY SOS team - like the charity itself - have seen way past the damage to the sheer potential of the site shining through the grime, mangled metalwork, and sledgehammered walls.

On July 8 the building reverts to the care of Blackpool Carers Centre to enable the 11 year old independent charity to build a better life for carers. It will also be the charity's administrative base - with work on that side to come later.

It's a year since Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust bought the building and gave it to the charity - and the charity's Three in Five appeal has been running ever since... the message being that while one in eight (or 10 depending on which statistics you read) are unpaid carers, looking after loved ones, three in five of us will be ... at some point in our lives.

The big name designer deployed to join the DIY SOS team working on the new look carers centre was himself a young carer - Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. And the man who fronts the popular BBC programme Nick Knowles has been touched by the stories of children and young people in the resort helping looking after brothers, sisters, elderly relatives, even their own parent or parents.

The BBC team, helped by volunteers from trades across Blackpool, Lancashire and beyond, and other supplying material as well as services, rolls in like a juggernaut on Monday June 27 - and it's all systems go until the Big Reveal days later.

This a huge challenge even by this fantastic team's standards because of the size of the building, the scale of the damage, and - of course - that ever so pressing deadline.

In fact, when charity chief executive Michelle Smith first escorted producers Hamish and Charley round the building she thought they might consider converting the annexe. They left, looking thoughtful and having taken loads of photographs, and returned with the offer of the building - once two private residences built in the late 19th century for the grandees of the age.

There were a lot of tears of joy when we found out," Michelle admits. It's nothing to what's to come...

And with the shout still out for more trades to respond - any businesses who can help are urged to keep listening and watching for regular updates from project manager Mark Millar across local radio and TV, the press, and social media - the word is help them, if you can.

They need dry liners, carpenters, joiners, decorators, plasterers, gardeners, landscapers, labourers - and many more.

And as the team points out: "We can offer the experience of a lifetime and a chance to turn a lot of lives around with this truly Big Build from June 28 to July 7."

As for the young carers themselves? They can't wait. Two new young carers champions were appointed by the charity just days ago - Liam Quinn, 16, and Tara Bragg, 21. Liam nursed his mum throughout her illness - up to her death. Tara cares for her two sisters,one older with Downs Syndrome, the other with other issues.

Both say they couldn't have coped as well as they did - and do - without the support of the charity. Both now want to say thank you - and help the charity help other young carers.

And the biggest vote of thanks goes to BBC DIY SOS and BBC Children in Need for making dreams come true - with the help of those Lancashire businesses, whether one-man teams or major corporates, involved.

Watch this space. Follow the team on Twitter at @DIYSOS @MrNickKnowles or the charity @BlackpoolCarers. To offer 11th hour assistance email [email protected]

Enjoyed this? Read more from janarchypr.co.uk

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin