Media invited to attend: Lady De Ramsey Garden Party
Date: Tuesday 2 August 2016
Time: 11am-2 pm
Venue: Abbots Ripton Hall, Huntingdon, PE28 2PQ
A visit to the seaside, boat trip and garden party are just some of the events planned by Carers Trust Cambridgeshire for young carers it supports throughout the summer.
The packed programme of outings and activities will give young carers aged 8-18 a break from their caring duties during the school holiday.
One of the highlights is a trip to Hunstanton, which was held on Wednesday, 27 July, when more than 100 young carers from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough filled two coaches for the fun-packed day at the Norfolk seaside.
There are 700,000 young carers in the UK who work around the clock providing care and support family and friends. It is estimated there are more than 2,000 young carers aged 5-25 in the Eastern region – as many as two pupils in each class – and identifying them early is vital to provide them with support to safeguard their wellbeing.
Alice Boon, Young Carers Senior Support Co-ordinator, said: “Our young carers do a fantastic job and often miss out on a summer break away like their classmates. Our trip to Hunstanton is always a lot of fun and very popular and we are very grateful to Sainsbury’s in Huntingdon for donating 120 bottles of water for the trip.
“We have also planned drop-in groups during the summer holidays, a boat ride at Hartford Marina, a garden party at Lady De Ramsey’s beautiful garden, outings to local places of interest, as well as the chance to feast on pizzas and mocktails at Frankie & Benny’s. For our Young Adult Carers, we will provide advice on preparing a CV.”
Brandon Bell, 15, and his sister Lily, 9, young carers from Huntingdon, are both thrilled with the packed programme of summer events. They care for their brother, Shane, 9, (Lily’s twin) who has autism and significant learning difficulties, and younger sister Daily, 5, who has hydrocephalus and has had a number of brain operations.
Brandon said: “I don’t get out to many places in the summer because we don’t have a car and it would be difficult to plan around my brother and sister who I help care for, so I am really pleased that I can look forward to days out with other young carers.”
Brandon’s mother, Sianade Bell, said: “It’s hard to go away together as a family and it’s a treat for them all to go to the seaside as we have only been to the beach once or twice in the last six years.
“I am very grateful to Carers Trust Cambridgeshire for putting on these lovely events for young carers over the summer holidays to give them some respite and a chance to have fun.”
If you 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
Notes to Editors
For further enquiries, please contact Young Carers Senior Support Co-ordinator
Alice Boon on 01480 499090 or Communications Officer Ellee Seymour.
