Carers Support West Sussex launches new fundraising appeal to give young carers the support and skills they need to cope

Today, a new campaign ‘Give Back Childhood’ was launched by Carers Support West Sussex, a charity working in partnership with schools and local services to support 2,400 children and young carers in West Sussex – some as young as five.

A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 who takes on the personal, practical or emotional care of a parent or sibling who is unwell, disabled or has mental health problems.

The campaign is raising awareness of the impact being a young carer can have and raising funds so the Young Carers Partnership, who work with schools and local services, can continue to provide young carers with much-needed skills to cope through activities, holiday programmes and regular support groups.

Sonia Mangan, Chief Executive of Carers Support West Sussex, said: “Being a carer at any age can be lonely and tough, but when you’re a child it’s even tougher. Many children in West Sussex are missing out on the experience of childhood – swapping playtime and precious memories to take on responsibility way beyond their years to look after someone they love.

“Without support, the impact often takes a huge toll on young people’s stress levels, schoolwork, confidence and even career prospects. Our ‘Give Back Childhood’ campaign is aiming to raise funds to make sure young carers have the chance to experience significant moments of childhood – the fun, the hobbies, the exploration and the friendships – before it’s too late.

“These are amazing children, doing an amazing job and often very proud of what they do – but they deserve the time and space to be children.”

Amy, a young carer aged seventeen, has been caring for her mum since she was eight and attends the Carers Support weekly carer’s group: “The support I’ve had has been amazing and I have made so many friends who understand what I’m going through, throughout the years. The staff are there to listen to you, they can help, and they’re all caring. If I hadn’t had the group I wouldn’t have been able to cope.”

The campaign highlights the realities of young people taking on the role of full-time carer, part-time child and the urgency of ensuring children don’t miss out on their childhood.

Here’s how your donation could help:

• £20 could fund a young carer to attend a young carer group, connecting them to a network of peer support
• £50 could help us to identify and support a new child who is a carer
• £200 could fund weekly daytime holiday activities for four 8 to 11 year-olds

To find out more about the campaign or to make a donation, visit the Carers Support West Sussex JustGiving page atwww.carerssupport.org.uk/childhood

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*names have been changed to protect anonymity

Horsham District Befriends (HDB) is a new service in Horsham District, which helps support people over 18 who are feeling lonely or isolated, or have anxieties about leaving the house, by matching them with a Volunteer Befriender and connecting them to a community group of their choice.  

We know that loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age and whatever their situation. It is possible to feel alone even if you have friends and family around you, sometimes it really helps to talk to someone new who can just listen and support.  

It can be difficult for people who are under a lot of stress and pressure, to know where or how to begin to get help.

These Cost Of Living Support Drop Ins aim to be a great place to start.

Open to all, these friendly, informal sessions, offer a local ‘one stop shop’ opportunity to talk to range of advisors from many different agencies and organisations to get information, guidance and advice on a range of issues and needs, such as…

• food and fuel concerns,
• money and debt concerns
• housing issues
• health and emotional wellbeing, including dependency issues
• support needed for people caring for relatives,
• wanting to find work,
• relationship difficulties, and support for families
• …and more.

Following a number of reports from residents recently about local litter bins in our parks and recreational places being filled with dog waste, the advice from Horsham District Council is that residents can dispose of dog waste at home by placing it in their domestic refuse wheelie bins (green-top only, not the brown-top bins!).

When out and about, please do consider taking home your own dog’s waste once you have picked it up and bagged it and dispose of it responsibly at home.

Thank you!