Carers Trust Cambridgeshire has planned a fun-packed programme of activities this summer for young carers it supports to give them a break from their caring role during the school holidays.
One of the highlights is a trip to Hunstanton on Tuesday, 25 July for 115 young carers from Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk aged 8 – 18. An annual garden party for young carers will be held at Lady De Ramsey’s stunning garden at Abbotts Ripton Hall on Tuesday, 1 August.
Alice Boon, Young Carers Senior Support Co-ordinator, said:
“The trip to the seaside and garden party at Lady De Ramsey’s garden are two of the highlights each year for our young carers who tell us how much they enjoy and appreciate a break from their caring role.”
“It is a chance for them to get away and spend time with other children their own age as many of them miss out on a holiday like their classmates. Our young carers do a fantastic job supporting loved ones at home seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, and this is their chance to have some fun.”
We currently support over 500 young carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk and the majority of this work is carried out through charitable funding.
Alice added:
“People may not be aware that our work with young carers is self-funded and the majority of it is carried out through charitable funding. We are keen to hear from sponsors and supporters who can help. They can do this now by joining our recently launched Cash Quest challenge where businesses, schools, groups and individuals are invited to turn £50 into as much money as possible. We will give a £50 stake to each team, having been donated by sponsors. Teams can hold a major event or several small ones and the challenge runs from now until 21 September to see by how much they can increase their original stake. We would love people and organisations to get involved and support our fantastic young carers!”
Other events planned during the summer break include puppet making at the newly reopened Norris Museum, St Ives; a boat trip at Hartford Marina; canoeing in Grantchester and a visit to the 1940s Ramsey Camp.
Additional activities, funded by a grant from the BBC Children in Need project for children and young people with disabilities and young carers, are workshops on still life photography, life painting and clay modelling and a visit to Wicken Fen. We will also prepare young carers who are leaving school to plan for their future and ensure they continue being supported as a young adult carer.
If you are a young carer and would like to know more about our summer programme, please contact Alice Boon on 01480 499090.
Not sure if you are a young carer or not? Do any of the following apply to you?
- Have a relative, including siblings, who are disabled, ill or injured, meaning that you have to care extra for them?
- Do chores for a relative, such as cleaning, because they are unable to?
- Live with a relative who misuses substances?
- Live with a relative who has issues with their emotional well being?
- Struggle to attend school or college regularly?
- Help look after someone which means that you can’t spend time with your friends or get your homework done?
Our projects enable young carers and young adult carers to meet other young people in similar caring roles and have fun away from their responsibilities. Activities and support includes:
- Regular groups
- Day trips
- Focus days and activities such as healthy eating and drama or photography workshops
- Residential trips away from home
- School groups and support within Further Education establishments
- 1:1 support if needed
- Transition planning and Carers’ Star Outcome support
- Online support
