Young carers get a big cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund
Funding will allow the service to be expanded
A charity is celebrating after being awarded £392,713 to continue to support young adult carers in Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale.
The cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund will also allow Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource to expand the service into Hambleton and Richmondshire.
The project will help young adult carers make informed choices about their futures, access training, learning and employment and receive individualised and specialist support and advice.
The aim is to enable them to continue caring as well as having a life of their own.
The project includes the provision of social activities which will allow young adult carers to make new friends and mix with people their own age who are in similar situations.
Volunteering opportunities will be offered and the chance for young adult carers to have their voices heard in developing services for 16-35 year olds.
Elizabeth McPherson, chief officer, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Big Lottery Fund to continue to develop and expand this much needed service over half of North Yorkshire.
“The project will have a major impact for at least 600 young adult carers within our communities over the next four years. We are aiming to start the project toward the end of the summer 2015.”
Sian Balsom, chair of the board of trustees, said: “I would like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for enabling Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource to continue with this much-needed project.
“We can now work with many more young adult carers who are missing out on this much needed support.
“The grant will help address the transition from young carers to adult carers as well as supporting parent carers.
“To be in a position where we can dedicate more resources to young adult carers will make a real difference to the lives of these young people.”
To find out more contact Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource on (01723) 850155 or go to www.carersresource. net