This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Young Carers
We also offer a Young Carers group, which provides a programme of activities for young carers (8-18yrs), where they can gain respite from their carers responsibilities, socialise, have fun and learn new skills.
The average age of a young carer in the UK is 12, the majority are caring for their Mum and consequentially their siblings too. Young carers often miss out on the opportunities that other children have: – They are likely to have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers – They are often bullied at school for being ‘different’ Young carers can often become socially isolated because they have no one to talk to who understands their situation.
YMCA Brunel Group provides four, weekly, sessions for young carers in Mendip and South Somerset. These sessions provide a much-needed break from caring responsibilities as well as an opportunity to meet people with similar experiences. Young carers really value this opportunity, in a recent report from Barnardo’s 78% of young people sighted the ‘opportunity to meet other young carers’ as one of the most important sources of help.
Young carers in our sessions eat a meal together, play board games, listen to music and try new activities like clay modelling, they can relax, take a break, have fun and feel less isolated. Parents may not be well enough to take their child to a session so we provide transport to ensure they can get to where they need to be. We run a peer mentoring scheme so that older young carers can support younger people caring for loved ones. We also offer short breaks, providing respite from the pressures at home and promoting the well-being of our young carers.
Young Carers Groups:
Mendip Young Carers Group
Tuesday’s at Pilton Village Hall, St Mary’s Ln, Pilton, Shepton Mallet BA4 4BB.
We offer alternative weekly sessions for both juniors (8yrs-13rs) which starts at 5:30pm till 7:30pm and seniors (13-18yrs+) which starts at 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
To find out more contact Chiara ChiaraDocherty@ymca-bg.org
Yeovil Young Carers Group
Monday’s at Vicarage Methodist Church, Vicarage Walk Middle Street, Yeovil BA20 1JZ.
We offer alternative weekly sessions for both juniors (8yrs-13/14yrs) which starts at 5:00pm till 7:00pm and seniors (13-14yrs+) which starts at 6:00pm until 8:00pm.
To find out more contact Zoe ZoeAspinall@ymca-bg.org
Please contact us to find out further details on 01749 679553.