The visit from HRH The Swindon Carers Centre on 28th February was a very happy occasion with over 50 carers, trustees, funders, staff and statutory partners in attendance.

[The Princess was introduced and spoke to every one of us during her visit.

Receiving a posy of flowers from one of the young carers in attendance.

Unveiling a plaque and signing the visitor's book to commemorate the occasion.

As founder and patron of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Princess Anne is a true champion of carers, their needs and the role they play in society. Every carer she spoke to, including all four young carers, commented on how they felt she really understood their situation and the challenges they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. There was a great buss of excitement both before and after the Royal Visit and everyone went away with a smile on their face and the memory of a truly happy occasion.

One of the most valuable outcomes of a Royal Visit is the publicity that it generates.
This can lead to increased awareness of the valuable role undertaken by carers; it can result in carers identifying themselves as such, having seen themselves as 'just' a parent, partner, son/daughter or friend, and it can make both carers themselves and the community, aware of the support and help available through the Centre.

During the week of the Royal Visit, the Swindon Carers Centre was most grateful to receive some excellent publicity in the Evening Advertiser with a full page on one day and two full pages on the Saturday, complete with lost of photographs.

If you're interested, ask to see the album of photographs of the visit when next at the Centre.