FEARNHEAD mum-of-three Julie Davies has reaped the benefits of visiting Warrington Carers Centre over the past four years.

The 39-year-old, of Edgars Drive, is carer for her son Daniel, aged 11, who has cerebral palsy.

She said: "He is totally dependent for everything. He has to be tube fed, has a lot of problems with his breathing and is very poorly a lot of the time.

"I was involved with the centre from the start, but at first I thought a lot of the issues people would be dealing with would be totally different from my own. But when I met other carers, for example someone looking after their husband with mental health problems, I realised that we had a lot in common.

"Being a carer is something you have to do 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At first I thought I was looking after Daniel just as any mother would look after her child, but years down the line you realise all the extra things you do.

"Somebody might say 'I've had no sleep because my baby kept me up all night' and I think - I have had that for 11 years.

"The carers centre is a safe haven. You come in and talk to other carers and more often than not end up laughing. You get support and understanding.

"Even though friends and family are there for you, it is good to meet people going through it themselves every day."