SUPPORTING THE YOUNG CARERS

Often unnoticed in our communities are a group of remarkable children and young adults who have commitment to their families that impacts on their lives beyond our comprehension. You may see one of them shopping alone in a supermarket. These are the Young Carers.

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who helps to care for a family member, relative or friend. Through these caring responsibilities they have all the challenges of being young, with all the responsibilities of being an adult. A young carer might support someone who has a disability, a long-term illness, or a problem with alcohol or drugs. Without this help, they would struggle or not be able to cope. As many as one in five children are young carers in the UK.

Barnardo’s Lancashire Young Carers provide support to these amazing youngsters and help them to manage the complication of their lives. Barnardo’s are currently developing Connect – a means of bringing a number of young carers together to have a little respite, some fun but to meet with peers.

Since Barnardo’s do not have a budget for leisure activities, they are reliant on outside support to fund that. Every child deserves some fun in their lives and there are none more deserving that the Young Carers. Preston Guild Lodge have been delighted to make a donation of £1000 to the Young Carers specifically for leisure activities. This can fund days out, cinema trips and many other things children enjoy

Master of the Lodge, Noel Colley along with the Lodge Charity Steward, Barry Wright delivered the donation into the hands of Denise Whiteside and Jenny Ashcroft of Barnardo’s. The lodge hopes that this will bring some sunshine into their lives.