THEY may be big shoes to fill, but the Mayor of Warrington was determined to demonstrate her caring side after stepping into the role of a carer for the day.

Outgoing mayor Cllr Karen Mundry joined the team at Padgate-based care business Care At Home Group on Friday in order to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the work being carried out in the community.

She took part in a morning care run and visited some of the clients at their homes. The first-hand experience allowed the mayor to experience a taste of what it is like to be a hardworking carer in Warrington.

Care At Home helps residents maintain their independence by treating them in the comfort of their homes.

Warrington Guardian: Cllr Karen Mundry with Doris Wainwright Cllr Karen Mundry with Doris Wainwright

Staff help with everything from getting residents out of bed and dressing them in the morning, to bathing, grooming, meal preparation, and putting them to bed at night.

Elderly residents spent the morning chatting to the mayor about their lives, their care and the challenges they faced in their daily lives.

Cllr Mundry was able to see first-hand what care within the community is all about and gained a better understanding of the challenges care companies and users are facing.

She was also able to find out more about the carers themselves with one resident adding: “The girls that come out to me are very good, they are most helpful and kind.”

Cllr Mundry said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be a carer for the day.

“The clients I met all seem very happy with the care that they receive.

“I can see how working within the community can be such a rewarding role and being given the opportunity to be involved for this short time has been lovely.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the company, its carers and of course the clients.”

A spokesperson for Care At Home Group, added: “We cannot thank the mayor enough for her time and her support.

“The more attention that can be brought to the challenges the care industry faces in today’s economy the sooner things might start to improve.

“Both our carers and our clients thoroughly enjoyed meeting Karen and having the opportunity to talk to her.”