Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service Appoint Phil Benson as Trustee

The Service Manager of our pioneering specialist dementia care service, EachStep Blackburn, has been appointed as a Trustee for Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service. Phil Benson was appointed to the service this week – bringing to it a breadth of knowledge and expertise in managing care services across the region.

By joining the Board of Trustees at the Carers Service, Phil has supported EachStep Blackburn’s aim of not only making a difference to people who live with dementia but their family carers too.

EachStep Blackburn is a £5m state-of-the-art dementia care home that provides specialist residential, nursing and respite care. Our 64 bed home adopts an innovative model of care that focusses on supporting people to stay active and keep in touch with their passions and interests. Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service aims to provide a ‘one stop’ carers centre that offers support, information and advice to all unpaid carers within Blackburn with Darwen.

Phil has enjoyed a highly successful career in social care and has been nationally recognised for his expertise in dementia care. He has taken on lead roles at two of Britain’s most successful dementia care services – North Manchester’s EachStep Blackley, which he was Deputy Manager of from 2012-2015, and EachStep Blackburn, which opened in May 2016.

Many of his services have been recognised with prestigious care sector accolades. In 2014, he was personally recognised at the National Dementia Awards for his innovative work to support research of the life story of people living with dementia. He brings to the Carers Service a wealth of experience in managing and overseeing all aspects of care services, as well as a personal experience of being a family carer.

On his recent appointment, Phil Benson, says: “I’m thrilled to have been invited to become a Trustee for Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service. The organisation is an extremely valuable and supportive service for carers in our region – something close to my heart both professionally and personally, having experienced being a family carer.”

He continues; “Over the past few years, the Carers Service has developed its support offer for carers by working in the community and developing a more individual approach. At EachStep Blackburn, we also take a very personalised approach to our care and have been hugely successful with integrating the service into the local community. I look forward to bringing my experience to the board room and helping to support their great work.”