Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be visiting Grimsby on January 21, 2010

To mark the fact that North East Lincolnshire Council is now offering services from all 14 of its children's centres the Princess will first be visiting the staff and parents at Queensway Children's Centre on the Willows Estate. The Princess will then move on to open the North East Lincolnshire Carers Centre, Victoria Street, Grimsby.

Joanne Hewson, the deputy director of children’s health and family services, said: "As a project, the children’s centres have exceeded everyone’s expectations. Through the dedication of our staff we have been successful in reaching out to local communities and it makes me proud to be able to enjoy the fruits of many years hard work.
It’s a real honour for everyone here to welcome The Princess Royal to North East Lincolnshire and I hope she enjoys her visit.

"Alongside the eagerly anticipated Royal visit, each of the 14 children’s centres will host open days throughout December. During these events members of the local communities will be invited to visit the centres and experience first-hand the services that are regularly provided within their own neighbourhoods.

Councillor Tony McCabe, the portfolio holder for children and family services, said: "It is a great privilege to be recognised so formally with a Royal visit. What better way is there to congratulate everyone on the hard work that has gone into providing a bright future for our children and young people?"I would like to offer my thanks to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to explore the work we do and I look forward to her visit."

The Princess Royal will then move on to open the North East Lincolnshire Carers Centre, Victoria Street, Grimsby. The centre opened its doors in June 2009 and is the successful outcome of partnership work between North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, North East Lincolnshire Council and partner agencies. The centre offers specialist advice and information, a range of relaxation therapies, carer support, befriending, counselling and access to work, training, social and leisure opportunities.

Barbara Marshallsay, associate director for integrated commissioning and carers strategic lead of the Care Trust Plus, said: "Carers play an invaluable role in our community. The Carers’ Centre is testament to the value we and our partner agencies place on supporting carers. In the first six months of opening the centre identified over 400 carers."We are delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness is. It is particularly fitting as she has a long-standing commitment to carers’ issues through her role as President of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The visit is a real boost for carers and we hope it will encourage more carers to come forward."