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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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Elderly Care for debi C.
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“Kingsley, first may I say what a wonderful person Aggie has been during this week”

Kingsley, first may I say what a wonderful person Aggie has been during this week helping my wife on her return from Knollwood. She is most attentive, helpful and pleasant. It is hard to find a nicer person to have sharing ones home. We are very pleased you chose her to be with us.
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In-home Care for Olga D.
551
Google

“I would like to thank you for your professional care and handling of my Mom’s”

I would like to thank you for your professional care and handling of my Mom’s extended home care. When I called you for assistance with Thelma’s home care needs you were such a good listener and I could feel your warmth and good spirit over the phone
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Home Care Services for lori L.
551
Google

“I would like to take sometime to commend our caregiver Holly for the wonderful job”

I would like to take sometime to commend our caregiver Holly for the wonderful job she is doing with my dad by providing in home care. She is caring, engaging , and provides professional services and the best companionship for my Dad !! Great job to Always Best Care !!!!
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Non-medical Home Care for Kristin B.
551
Caring

“Our 85 year old mother needed overnight care following repeated hospitalizations over a 9 month”

Our 85 year old mother needed overnight care following repeated hospitalizations over a 9 month period and ensuing hospice care. We called Kingsley, the Director, who was kind, gracious, professional, and knowledgeable. Flexible scheduling was also a priority and we always received immediate attention. The Director even brought over the PCAs personally to introduce them and would visit to ensure our mother’s needs were being met.The office staff and PCAs were kind and professional. Overall would highly recommend this agency.
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Elderly Care for Annette G.
551
Facebook

“Their professionalism and response to questions and concerns. They were the only agency that said”

Their professionalism and response to questions and concerns. They were the only agency that said they could help us for the care of my husband. The care takers are responsible, and really care for the person and caretaker. Their secretary is very professional and helpful and always gets back to me. Kingsley is fantastic, professional, caring, and goes over an beyond his call of his profession. We are very thankful for Always Best Care and I have recommended them to friends and rehab centers.
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In-home Care for Diane
551
Caring

“Always Best Care of Greater Worcester is wonderful. The person who answers the telephone (her”

Always Best Care of Greater Worcester is wonderful. The person who answers the telephone (her name is Donna), and she's older like we are. She has a clue about what we're talking about when we're asking for help and why, so it becomes a very personal conversation. I was introduced to the director. He is an RN, plus a few other things. When he comes in to do the assessment for what you need, he works really hard at putting together the right caregiver with the person asking. He was just absolutely lovely. We needed somebody who could drive to do errands, and then I needed help with the laundry and occasional meals. The caregiver picks up and tidies around. She does bathing for my husband, who is almost bedbound. She does other simple health-related things for him. For me, she helps with my bathing because I have a bad back and bad knees. She's nice, and she's sweet. She can be a little tough when she needs to be, which is what we wanted. Not to be abusive, but just someone with a firm hand. When you don't feel well, you tend to act like a 7-year-old; it doesn't matter how old you are. She is just lovely. We couldn't ask for anything better.
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Non-medical Home Care for Boakye V.
551
Google

“It's a great company to work there. I have learned a lot from this company.”

It's a great company to work there. I have learned a lot from this company. I was not left on my own when I started working, everyone is friendly and pleasant.
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Home Care Services for chief M.
551
Google

“Staff was very professional during consultation.”

Staff was very professional during consultation.
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Home Care for Emelia F.
551
Facebook

“The Schedulers are very professional and respectful. they work with the caregivers very well and”

The Schedulers are very professional and respectful. they work with the caregivers very well and find them the right cases. The pay is also very great
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Personal Senior Care for Anna R.
551
Google

“Always Best Care is a great place to work where they really care about their”

Always Best Care is a great place to work where they really care about their clients and employees! Absolutely would recommend to anyone looking for care for themselves or a loved one, or a new job!
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Senior Care Services for Bobbi D.
551
Website

“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.”

Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.
Read full testimonial
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Kingsley, first may I say what a wonderful person Aggie has been during this week helping my wife on her return from Knollwood. She is most attentive, helpful and pleasant. It is hard to find a nicer person to have sharing ones home. We are very pleased you chose her to be with us.”

debi C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to thank you for your professional care and handling of my Mom’s extended home care. When I called you for assistance with Thelma’s home care needs you were such a good listener and I could feel your warmth and good spirit over the phone”

Olga D.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I would like to take sometime to commend our caregiver Holly for the wonderful job she is doing with my dad by providing in home care. She is caring, engaging , and provides professional services and the best companionship for my Dad !! Great job to Always Best Care !!!!”

lori L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Our 85 year old mother needed overnight care following repeated hospitalizations over a 9 month period and ensuing hospice care. We called Kingsley, the Director, who was kind, gracious, professional, and knowledgeable. Flexible scheduling was also a priority and we always received immediate attention. The Director even brought over the PCAs personally to introduce them and would visit to ensure our mother’s needs were being met.The office staff and PCAs were kind and professional. Overall would highly recommend this agency.”

Kristin B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Their professionalism and response to questions and concerns. They were the only agency that said they could help us for the care of my husband. The care takers are responsible, and really care for the person and caretaker. Their secretary is very professional and helpful and always gets back to me. Kingsley is fantastic, professional, caring, and goes over an beyond his call of his profession. We are very thankful for Always Best Care and I have recommended them to friends and rehab centers.”

Annette G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of Greater Worcester is wonderful. The person who answers the telephone (her name is Donna), and she's older like we are. She has a clue about what we're talking about when we're asking for help and why, so it becomes a very personal conversation. I was introduced to the director. He is an RN, plus a few other things. When he comes in to do the assessment for what you need, he works really hard at putting together the right caregiver with the person asking. He was just absolutely lovely. We needed somebody who could drive to do errands, and then I needed help with the laundry and occasional meals. The caregiver picks up and tidies around. She does bathing for my husband, who is almost bedbound. She does other simple health-related things for him. For me, she helps with my bathing because I have a bad back and bad knees. She's nice, and she's sweet. She can be a little tough when she needs to be, which is what we wanted. Not to be abusive, but just someone with a firm hand. When you don't feel well, you tend to act like a 7-year-old; it doesn't matter how old you are. She is just lovely. We couldn't ask for anything better.”

Diane
×
TESTIMONIALS

“It's a great company to work there. I have learned a lot from this company. I was not left on my own when I started working, everyone is friendly and pleasant.”

Boakye V.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Staff was very professional during consultation.”

chief M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The Schedulers are very professional and respectful. they work with the caregivers very well and find them the right cases. The pay is also very great”

Emelia F.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great place to work where they really care about their clients and employees! Absolutely would recommend to anyone looking for care for themselves or a loved one, or a new job!”

Anna R.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Worcester.”

Bobbi D.
In-Home Care Rochdale, MA

How does In-home Senior Care in Rochdale, MA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Rochdale, MA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Rochdale, MA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Rochdale, MA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

Respite Care Rochdale, MA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Rochdale,MA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Caregivers Rochdale, MA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Latest News in Rochdale, MA

Rugby league: Rochdale Masters vs Underbank

Date published: 03 August 2021Photo: Aidy Gleeson SnrThe Rochdale Masters team took to the field on Saturday 31 July, for a game against the Underbank Masters side.The Rochdale Masters side has been formed to encourage older players back to the sport and support grassroots clubs whilst having fun.In a game that was played in a fantastic spirit Mark Kelly showed he had lost none of his silky skills as he orchestrated the team around the pitch. Andy Duffy was in the middle of everything, if only to offer hi...

Date published: 03 August 2021

Photo: Aidy Gleeson Snr

The Rochdale Masters team took to the field on Saturday 31 July, for a game against the Underbank Masters side.

The Rochdale Masters side has been formed to encourage older players back to the sport and support grassroots clubs whilst having fun.

In a game that was played in a fantastic spirit Mark Kelly showed he had lost none of his silky skills as he orchestrated the team around the pitch. Andy Duffy was in the middle of everything, if only to offer his opinion on what was going on. Ziggy Ahmed put a good shift in, in his first masters outing this season but the pick of the bunch on the day was David Chrimes who worked tirelessly.

Officially, there are no winners in the Masters games as the game focuses on playing and having in great spirit.

One wit on the sideline was heard to comment: "There's more bandages out there than the last remake of the Mummy."

The masters concept is really taking off at the minute in Rochdale with around twenty five players attending training on Friday evening at the Mayfield club followed by a debriefing in the club house.

Organiser Carl Abraham said: "We have 25 to 30 lads at the minute but you can never have enough. This is a fantastic opportunity for ex players to get together have a laugh and reminisce about the old days. It doesn't matter who you played for, in fact we would love players from all Rochdales old clubs to take part. There is no better evening than one spent with the rugby lads, telling all the old tales and recalling their exploits. Although the tales do get taller as the evening goes by but it is brilliant. So come on down and join in even if you're not sure about playing come down on Friday and have a laugh, it'll do you good."

All training and matches will be held at the home of Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC, in Castleton, with training being held every Friday from 6-7pm.

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Military veterans get together for rugby game at AJ Bell Stadium

Date published: 27 June 2023Military veterans – including four from Rochdale – came together on Armed Forces Day (Saturday 24 June) to enjoy a game of masters rugby at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.With so many military veterans playing the sport, it’s only right that Armed Forces Day be chosen as another event in the military calendar to be commemorated with a fixture.Four military veterans from Rochdale joined forces with 26 other veterans from all three services, representing appropriately 15 maste...

Date published: 27 June 2023

Military veterans – including four from Rochdale – came together on Armed Forces Day (Saturday 24 June) to enjoy a game of masters rugby at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.

With so many military veterans playing the sport, it’s only right that Armed Forces Day be chosen as another event in the military calendar to be commemorated with a fixture.

Four military veterans from Rochdale joined forces with 26 other veterans from all three services, representing appropriately 15 masters clubs throughout the UK, playing before Salford Red Devils’ home Super League clash with Wigan Warriors.

Rochdale Masters head coach Carl Abrahams said: “A massive thank you goes to Roy Thickett of Bury Broncos Masters for sourcing the opportunity for us to be part of such amazing event.

“A massive thanks also goes to Revilo Automotive/Alexander Khan PLC for their continuous support in providing the playing shirts that the veterans get to don at each meeting and Get Together After Serving CIC/The Veterans Garage for their generous offer in after match presentations and match ball sponsorships.

“The shirts and teamwear are available to purchase via www.stag-sports.com with a donation from each sale price going to a military charity chosen by the veterans.

“All veterans are invited to get involved in any of our veterans’ masters get-togethers with no selection process in place.”

The veterans committee, led by Carl, is always looking to showcase masters on the biggest stage with the next planned Veterans Masters get together being 11 November at the home of Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC in the annual fixture to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Planning will commence in the next few weeks as the team look to make the event bigger and better to give the special day the respect it deserves.

Rochdale Masters is an amateur rugby team for men aged 35 or over. Officially, there are no winners in the masters games as the game focuses on playing in great spirit.

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New amateur rugby team - Rochdale Masters - formed for men aged 35 and over

Date published: 22 June 2021A new amateur rugby team for men aged 35 or over has been formed at Rochdale Mayfield.The Rochdale Masters side has been formed by Carl Abraham to encourage older players back to the sport and support grassroots clubs whilst having fun.Carl has played rugby from a young age, starting his journey with local side Spotland Rangers before joining the military and completing a full 24 years’ service.During his time in the forces Carl represented various regiments, The Corps of Royal En...

Date published: 22 June 2021

A new amateur rugby team for men aged 35 or over has been formed at Rochdale Mayfield.

The Rochdale Masters side has been formed by Carl Abraham to encourage older players back to the sport and support grassroots clubs whilst having fun.

Carl has played rugby from a young age, starting his journey with local side Spotland Rangers before joining the military and completing a full 24 years’ service.

During his time in the forces Carl represented various regiments, The Corps of Royal Engineers and the British Army. Whilst serving in the UK, he would return home at weekends and stand-down periods to represent Rochdale Mayfield.

Carl said: “Historically, the borough has had numerous successful amateur rugby league clubs and we believe the town rightfully deserves a platform to encourage older players the opportunity to get back playing and supporting grassroots clubs whilst having fun and making great memories on and off the field.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a newcomer to the greatest game, one of the many ex-professionals living in the town or an individual who just wants some free extra physical exercise. The only rule is you need be aged 35 and over.

“We also want to represent all past and present teams from Rochdale so no matter what club or code you’ve played for, you’ll be met with open arms at any of our training sessions/events. We do have a couple of shirt sponsors, but we’re always on the lookout for more.”

“Masters is also a great tool to support any charity fundraising, with local charities close to our hearts ‘The Stephen Gartland Foundation, Jolly Josh and Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation being proudly chosen as our nominated charities,” added Carl.

All training and matches will be held at the home of Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC, in Castleton, with training being held every Friday from 6-7pm.

The team’s first game will take place at 1pm on Saturday 17 July against local rivals Bury Broncos.

For more information or to become involved, please contact Carl via Facebook or email.

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Blind England international footballer from Rochdale celebrates Masters graduation

By Flora ByattA blind England international footballer who also set up a ground-breaking business educating school children about disabilities has celebrated graduating with a Masters degree.Azeem Amir, from Rochdale, has completed a Masters in Digital Business, while simultaneously running his business and playing elite level football. The day before his ceremony he had been at St George's Park to take on the German blind team....

By Flora Byatt

A blind England international footballer who also set up a ground-breaking business educating school children about disabilities has celebrated graduating with a Masters degree.

Azeem Amir, from Rochdale, has completed a Masters in Digital Business, while simultaneously running his business and playing elite level football. The day before his ceremony he had been at St George's Park to take on the German blind team.

Azeem's family were present to see him receive his degree during the ceremony, held in Maxwell Hall at the University of Salford’s Peel Park campus, the first physical ceremonies to take place there since the start of the pandemic.

The 22-year-old, who was born with no sight in his right eye and just light perception in his left, plays blind football professionally around the world with England.

In 2019, he started Learn with ESS (Education, Sport and Speaking) with the help of Salford University's business incubator.

Learn with ESS is a workshop initiative that uses education sport and speaking based activities that address stigmatised issues around disabilities.

It aims to change individual perceptions within society.

Azeem said: “I have had an amazing four years at Salford, and it has opened up so many opportunities for me.

"The sports centre staff and facilities have been amazing and such a help with my football.

"The skills I learned while studying first for my degree and then my Masters, have helped me get somewhere and given me skills I can use.

“I want to showcase the fact that you can deal and manage with challenges and still be successful, get a degree and all the other things that university offers. You just have to have the right mindset.”

The inspirational graduate now wants to focus on his football and recruit and grow his business.

Learn with ESS is aimed at educational institutions such as schools and colleges, professional and grassroots sports clubs, as well as corporate businesses.

Azeem created his own team of coaches and has launched a unique workshop programme - he is already gaining UK-wide interest and is in talks with the Football Association and other organisations about delivering them internationally.

The workshops look to address stigmatised issues surrounding disability and change perceptions through team building activities and away days.

Azeem developed a workshop which incorporates classroom-based activities on learning, visual and hearing impairment awareness, followed by a practical Paralympic taster session on sports such as blind football and goalball, and a motivational talk from a local role model or athlete.

Since Azeem started his business, he has also partnered with the National Citizen Service to introduce his programme into English Football League Clubs and community trusts including Rochdale AFC, Blackburn Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Preston North End, and Salford City FC.

Dr Marie Griffiths, Azeem’s supervisor during his Masters at the University of Salford Business School, said: “As a student he was determined and he always engaged, but best of all he was curious and wanted to learn.

"He excelled and that is down to good old fashioned hard work.”

Andy Burnham says mass closure of train station ticket offices could be illegal

Date published: 06 July 2023Photo: BBC Radio ManchesterAndy Burnham In The Hot Seat On BBC Radio ManchesterAndy Burnham has said that the mass closure of ticket offices at train stations across the country could be illegal. It comes after train companies announced plans to close hundreds of ticket offices in England over the next three years.In Greater Manchester, ticket offices are set to close at around 50 stations – including the one at Littleborough, and Manchester Piccadilly. Northern has confi...

Date published: 06 July 2023

Photo: BBC Radio Manchester

Andy Burnham In The Hot Seat On BBC Radio Manchester

Andy Burnham has said that the mass closure of ticket offices at train stations across the country could be illegal. It comes after train companies announced plans to close hundreds of ticket offices in England over the next three years.

In Greater Manchester, ticket offices are set to close at around 50 stations – including the one at Littleborough, and Manchester Piccadilly. Northern has confirmed that the ticket office at Rochdale Station is amongst those that will remain open.

Read more: Littleborough Station's ticket office facing closure under new plans to close most ticket offices in EnglandPublished: 06 July 2023

A 21-day public consultation has been launched to gather passengers’ views. But Mr Burnham says that the process of the consultation might not be legal.

The Greater Manchester mayor said one train operator in particular has not assessed the impact the proposal would have on older and disabled people. He did not name the operator. Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester this morning (July 6), Mr Burnham said he would write to the transport secretary calling for the consultation to be halted.

He said: “This is really wrong on so many levels – but we’re going to take a stand. I will be writing to the transport secretary today and I think it is likely, in my view, that there’s a strong case that this process is not legal.”

The Labour mayor criticised the planned closures, saying it would ‘further destroy the already threadbare trust in train services across the north of England’. He argued that ticket office staff provide advice for passengers, reassurance for older people and help for disabled people at train stations.

He told listeners on his weekly radio phone-in that his team is looking into whether the consultation on the proposal is legal. He is expecting that to be established today (July 5), however, he shared what he has been told so far.

He said: “The provisional advice I’ve got is that the train operators, one of them in particular, should have done, again, a provisional equality impact assessment. Particularly for the impact on older people or disabled people who will probably be the most impacted by this decision. They didn’t do it.

“I’m just finding out from my team therefore whether this consultation on this proposal is actually legal and I’m actually going to establish that in the course of today. And if it isn’t, as I don’t think it is, I will be writing to the transport secretary later today to tell him that this consultation must be immediately halted.”

Mr Burnham later said that if he cannot stop the government and the train companies closing ticket offices, he would be making the case again for stations in the city-region to be run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). He confirmed that the ticket office at Horwich Parkway train station which is already controlled by TfGM will not be closing as part of the proposal.

Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, has said that only 12% of tickets were sold at ticket offices last year with the rest bought online or from vending machines. It said the changes would be phased in gradually.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “These industry-led consultations are about enhancing the role of station workers and getting staff out from behind ticket office screens and into more active, customer-facing roles that will allow them to better support all passengers. This is not about cutting jobs – no station which is currently staffed will be unstaffed as a result of these proposed reforms.

“We have been consistently honest about the need for our railways to modernise if they are going to survive. Reviewing the role of ticket offices – with the least busy selling only one ticket an hour – is a crucial part of this.”

Joseph Timan, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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