Melksham Area Board have appointed local resident David Walker to the voluntary role of Carers Champion.
David is well known to Carer Support Wiltshire and has shared his experiences of caring for his wife Georgina with us in order to help others who are caring for someone. He is a member of our carers advisory group, has spoken up about his experience to the local media several times and is generally an active and passionate voice in the community on why it matters to support unpaid carers.
“David’s responsibility will be to seek the views of Melksham carers on matters related to the services provided by Wiltshire Council and the NHS, and to represent these views back to Wiltshire Council,” says Peter Dunford, the community engagement manager for Melksham.
Wiltshire councillor Nick Holder, chair of the Melksham Health and Wellbeing Group, says: “David has extensive experience as a carer having cared for his wife for over 12 years until she passed away from Alzheimer’s last year.
“During that time David has contributed to the work of Carer Support Wiltshire and has also volunteered with and been a board member of Healthwatch Wiltshire and Evolving Communities.
“David has previously spoken to the local press and radio about his role as a carer and in this new role will continue to have a public facing role with the media and will be attending local support groups to talk about the needs of carers, including the hidden army of young carers.
“David is well known locally for his Melksham in Bloom award winning Memory Sensory Garden, which he created for his late wife and for opening up his garden to the public in aid of the Children’s Society.”
If you have any thoughts on how to make Melksham area a more carer friendly environment, or would like to talk to David about his role as Carer Champion, he can be contacted at ginavidwalker26@gmail.com.
