New support group for young carers launches in Portishead

A NEW support group for young carers is to launch at Portishead Youth Centre.

Charity Crossroads Care, Portishead Rotary Club and bosses at the town's youth centre have joined forces to launch the new service which will support youngsters aged between five and 18-years-old which have caring responsibilities at home.

The service will be run by staff from Crossroads Care and an experienced youth worker from the Harbour Road Centre.

A special event is being held at the youth centre on February 11 from 10.30am to 2.30pm to mark the launch of the new service.

Children's entertainer Nutty Noah will be on hand and there will be free refreshments as well as the chance to find out more about the service.

Crossroads Care young carers service manager, Heidi Every, said:"We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with the rotary and youth  centre to provide a local support service for children who have caring responsibilities at home."

Young carers are children who help to look after someone in their family who has a disability, a long term illness, special needs, mental health problems or misuse alcohol or drugs.

Children with caring responsibilities often miss out on the opportunities that other children take for granted to play, socialise and learn.

Many struggle at school and are often bullied for being "different."

Without support they can become isolated and with no relief from their responsibilities at home, there is the risk that they can miss out on a childhood altogether.

Mrs Every added: "As well as providing young carers with the opportunity to take a break, this service will offer support, advice and the chance to make friends with other local children in similar situations."

Staff from Crossroads will be carrying out young carers assessments at the launch event to enable young carers to join the new group which will run fortnightly starting from February 18. Anyone wanting to find out more about the service but are unable to attend the event, should   contact The Young Carers Service at Crossroads Care on (01934) 411854.