Looking after young carers and their rights

CARERS Trust North Wales are delighted to have been awarded funding to run a Young Adult Carer project for carers living in Anglesey.

The Project will target carers aged between 16-25 years. This is often a very difficult and traumatic stage in life as young adult carers find themselves juggling the demands of looking after a loved one alongside the strain of studying for exams, seeking work, applying for college and trying to find their own path in life.

This new grant will help by providing training, 1-1 and group support, together with breaks from caring. Project workers will be making sure young adult carers understand their rights and get the steer they need to make choices in life - beyond their demanding caring roles.

Non Parry, Care Manager for Carers Trust North Wales said: ‘This vital funding will help us to support young adult carers on the Island. We have got a lot of exciting and useful training.

Caring can have a huge impact on your life, I know this as I was young carer myself, and I believe this project is something that can really help.’

Training will include Resilience workshops which will be provided by a local media company, Youth Friendly. With many years’ experience working with young adult carers, they have created bright and fresh toolkits and resources to raise awareness of issues young people face, delivering training and solutions that equip, empower and educate. There will also be music sessions and fitness advice, as well as practical courses such as manual handling, first aid, cookery, finance and budgeting.

Project Worker Lucy Jones said: “Accessing the support is very easy, we can take self referrals or referrals from any agency or organisation. We will provide transport to anyone who has problems attending any of the groups and we can also arrange respite breaks.

If anyone is interested in this support, they can ring on 01492 542212 or 07887 367220 to find out more, or email northwales@nwcrossroads.org.uk