Doctor Eamonn O’Daly - the highly respected leader of the Saddleworth Carers Group - has received a Mayor's Appreciation award, from Oldham’s Mayor, Cllr Eddie Moores.
The Group, which is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers with professional expertise in caring and supporting family and friends with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, was set up 18 years ago by Doctor O’Daly, of Uppermill. His wife had tragically died after a long battle against Dementia and he, himself, was her carer for six years.
He built a small team of focussed carers whose mission is to quietly and unobtrusively offer personal support to people facing the daunting prospect of their lives being totally transformed by the illnesses.
Twice a month the group host warmhearted meetings which provide an invaluable service to carers and those they care for, especially people with dementia and memory problems.
Funds are used for a complimentary lunch for members. They also provide tea, coffee and biscuits.
They are a self-funded group relying on donations and the generosity of the local authority and community and they provide support and help with entitlements e.g. attendance allowance, blue badge applications, and a comfortable atmosphere to meet, exchange news and make new friends.
A big problem for carers is isolation which sadly only gets worse in parallel with their partner's condition. However, since the pandemic this has now eased are they are able to host meetings and social gatherings which have reestablished and grown even stronger bonds.
Group members are mainly local who find traveling difficult. The Saddleworth Cricket Club offers an oasis where the group guarantee the upmost safety for members to share a comfortable environment by sanitising, socially distancing and following all Government guidelines and providing a haven for the group to share happy times, advice and comradeship.
Doctor O’Daly’s purposeful leadership is truly a guiding light and genuine inspiration to the community he constantly serves.
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