Young carers in Torfaen celebrated

Yesterday (Thursday, January 28th) was Young Carers Awareness Day 2016, a national campaign day to recognise young carers in the UK who work continuously to provide care and support to their loved ones. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Torfaen’s Young Carers Service (TYCS) hosted an event for young carers aged 14 and over at Ashley House Youth Centre, providing the young carers with an opportunity to have a break from their caring role. The Mayor of Torfaen, councillor Giles Davies, attended the event, talking to the young adults about what their caring role involves. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Mayor said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity to speak to some of Torfaen’s young carers, learning about what their daily routines involve and what life is like for them. I was overwhelmed by their maturity and selflessness.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Megan Batkin, chair of the young carers forum, aged 16, said: “Being part of the young carers service means we can get to meet other young carers. We can socialise with people who help and understand each other.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There are currently over sixty children and young people registered with TYCS. The service works with children and young people aged 8-17 and their families to give young carers a short break from their caring role. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive member for health, social care and well-being, councillor Richard Clark, commented: “Many young carers have to mature very quickly, learning how to do tasks and chores that most children will start doing when they are much older. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Torfaen’s Young Carers Service provides young carers in the borough with an opportunity to be children again, taking part in fun activities and meeting other children and young adults who have caring roles.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you would like further information about TYCS contact Nikki Prince Iles on 01633 648113 or Nikki.PrinceIles@torfaen.gov.uk ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Torfaen Young Carers Steering Group is a group of adults fundraising for young carer’s activities, education and respite care. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sarah Collins on 01633 321404. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​