Meetings give carers a chance to be young
Sharon Anderson (left) of Freebridge Farm with Jackie Haverson of West Norfolk Young Carers. Freebridge Farm will be holding a raffle and coffee morning for the Lynn News Young Carers Appeal. www.lynnnews.co.uk/buyaphoto
CHILDREN who look after their families and sick parents are given a chance to unwind at a carers group.
West Norfolk Carers puts on a regular forum for teenagers to explain what help they need but are also given an opportunity to be young.
And in our appeal we are working with the carers’ organisation to raise money to pay for trips out and transport to meetings for children and teenagers.
The forums are held across the county where children aged between 11 and 18 can attend.
One such forum is held in Downham.
Earlier this week the girls at the Downham group, who are aged between 12 and 14, were working on blueprints of how a young carers’ group should be run.
Forum participation worker Jo Brown has spoken of the importance of these evenings to the youngsters.
She said: “One of the main things we hear from young carers is that it is a chance to be a kid and not worry about stuff.
“What amazes me is the amount of work they get done. They are here voluntarily to work to try and make things better for other young carers.”
One of the youngsters who attended the forum is 13-year-old Danielle Peers Holland.
Danielle, who helps out at home, said that carers groups are a big help. She said: “I would say that they help us cope and feel good about ourselves and have a bit of fun and social time.”
Ashleigh Shaw, 12, has also talked about the meeting.
She said: “It is really good. It means that I can be with people my own age, who are going through the same problems.
“It means a lot to be able to talk about it.”
In supporting the Lynn News Appeal, she said: “It would mean a lot to everyone to have a fun day and not to worry about everything.”
Another young carer Chloe Moore, 14, also said that the forum meetings were important.
She added: “They get us out of the house and we get time away.”
Kylie Jarman, 12, said that young carers groups allow her to unwind and make friends.
A youngster, who cannot be named, said: “The group helps me when I’m angry and feel isolated.”
n Former young carer Sharon Anderson is getting behind our appeal.
Sharon knows the importance of our campaign after giving up much of her free time to care for her mother, Janet English, when she was a child.
Janet, who died about 20 years ago, suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and needed help from her daughter with dressing and cleaning the house.
Now Sharon and colleagues from Freebridge Farm, in West Lynn, are doing their bit to support the appeal by running a raffle at the restaurant.
Duty manager Sharon said: “I was a young carer so I know what it is like.
“In my day they didn’t have young carers groups and we missed out on a lot.
“I think it is really important that the children are given these opportunities.”
Prizes on offer include meal vouchers for £50 and £25. Tickets cost £1 a strip and the raffle will be drawn on Wednesday, February 29.
The restaurant is also running a fundraising coffee morning on Monday, February 6 from 10.30am to noon.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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