Local charity hopes to reach more young adult carers

An information, support and advice morning is being held to try and reach more 16 – 25 year old carers in need of help in Wiltshire, on Saturday 26th September from 10.30am – 12.30pm.

The event is being co-ordinated by Carer Support Wiltshire and will take place at Leigh Park Community Centre, Westbury with a free lunch available.

Young carers and their families will be able to speak with people from organisations who can provide guidance on work, benefits, training and offer support for them to be able to cope in their caring role.

Kate*, 17, was put in touch with Carer Support Wiltshire who encouraged her to access a range of breaks as well as some social events, where she could meet young adult carers in similar situations.

She cares for her mother who has arthritis, as well as her 15-year-old sister and four-year-old brother who both have ASD (autism spectrum disorder) which affects their social interaction, communication and behaviour.

Kate has the difficult job of caring for more than one family member, whilst having to manage her own health problems. She explained, “I have ME and have also been struggling with self-harming and depression because everything just got too much.

“As a result of my own health and the pressures on me at home, I dropped out of college a little while ago. I felt very isolated having to cope with everything on my own with little support. Despite this, I was keen to meet with other young people, make friends, get out of the house and start to study again.”

She was also able to start receiving support from their young adult carer support worker who is available to listen and share advice about steps for the future.

Kate said, “Since being in touch with Carer Support Wiltshire I have attended the first aid, money management and youth action foundation learning courses. I also joined other young adult carers on a trip to the cinema and made new friends.

“This support has helped me to feel less isolated, enabled me to develop new skills and confidence and feel like I’m part of something special.”

Kate has since gone on to start a Saturday job and has successfully applied to start a course in Southampton.

To find out more about the information morning, or to get more details about the support Carer Support Wiltshire offers to 16 – 25 year old carers, please contact Andrea James on 01380 871690 or andrea@carersinwiltshire .co.uk

They also have a Facebook page where young carers can chat with one another:https://www.facebook.com/YACWiltshire