Berwick praised for 'coping' qualities; Government adviser meets 'salt of earth'.Byline: Brian Daniel ALEADING government adviser has praised the ability of people in a Northumberland town to cope with lack of services at critical times. Dr Stuart Burgess - the Government's Rural Advocate and chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities - last night concluded a two day trip to Berwick, Northumberland. His visit was part of a national fact-finding exercise to look at how people in rural areas cope with major life changing events. These include traumas such as being diagnosed with cancer, suffering a stroke, losing a job, becoming a young carer carer Noun a person who looks after someone who is ill or old, often a relative: the group offers support for the carers of those with dementia carer n → and having a baby. The visit came amid fears that people in rural areas are at risk from a lack of access to services when they need them most. Yesterday, Dr Burgess met staff and management from Carers Northumberland, who work with cancer patients, and Berwick's Citizens Advice Bureau, including staff who work in bereavement Bereavement Definition Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved person or animal. The English word bereavement , benefit and nursing. The advocate also met young people from Berwick Youth Project, visited the town's Sure Start children's centre and its Jobcentre Plus Jobcentre Plus (Welsh: Canolfan Byd Gwaith) is the government-funded employment agency facility and the social security office for working-age people in the United Kingdom. . On Monday night, Dr Burgess met local health representatives, including officials from the primary care trust and midwifes. Last night, he said: "It has been a really good visit. "The voluntary and community sector are really making a major contribution to the welfare of our society, especially up here in Northumberland. There are some fantastic people up here, there really are. "I have met some people who are really the salt of the earth." At the job centre, the advocate was told that more than 600 people pass through every week, whom staff prepare for when more jobs are available once the recession is over. Of town-people who work, the average income is f14,000 per year - below the Government's poverty guideline guideline Medtalk A series of recommendations by a body of experts in a particular discipline. See Cancer screening guidelines, Cardiac profile guidelines, Gatekeeper guidelines, Harvard guidelines, Transfusion guidelines. of pounds 16,200. Dr Burgess said: "It really is quite critical from the point of view that the majority of people are paid minimum wage which is going to have a knock on Noun 1. knock on - (rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul) rugby, rugby football, rugger - a form of football played with an oval ball rugby, rugby football, rugger - a form of football played with an oval ball effect around housing. "Some people would say the minimum wage is going to have to rise. "One of the things that needs to be done is lift people's aspirations and especially young people's aspirations. "Whatever could be done to bring new businesses into Berwick would be to the benefit of the community here." The advocate also described rural transport as an issue which needs to be addressed. Dr Burgess will be reporting his findings to the Government and recommending action to help improve services in rural areas.. CAPTION(S): VISIT Dr Stuart Burgess - the Government's Rural Advocate. |
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