The relief of Young Carers in the area covered by Northern Test Valley and surrounding districts - (Young Carers being defined as children and young people, up to the age of 18 years of age, who help to look after or have a significant caring responsibilities for a parent, parents or sibling with a long term illness or disability; also children and young people who are affected by their parents drug or alcohol addictions, mental health problems and domestic violence. These children’s lives are affected in some away because of the need to care for someone at home) -, without distinction of sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, race, colour, disability, political or religious beliefs, by the association with the local authority, voluntary or other organisations and the local inhabitants in a common effort to:
a) Provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of those persons.
b) Advance the education of those persons in particular but not exclusively by the provision of a counselling service, and
c) Promote such other charitable purpose for the benefit of such persons as may from time to time be determined.
After School and Holiday Clubs for Young Carers (YCs).
After School Clubs provide rest and respite from their caring responsibilities; opportunity to relax, make friends with others who understand, as well as access to a key worker. Clubs can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly according to the assessed needs of the YC. Holiday clubs offers a refuge when YCs can pop-in, as well periodic age related play and recreation periodic.
We meet a need in the community by tackling factors that contribute to social and emotional isolation, educational under achievement, reduce higher education and employment choices, negative impacts on health (mental and physical) and well being and the very real issue of a lost childhood. We aim to provide a friendly supportive environment where YCs can be young people and have time away from adult responsibilities. We are the single point of contact for young Carer support in our area.
