Warrington Borough Council is working with its partners to promote support services and activities to provide young carers with support and breaks throughout the school summer holidays.
In a new report by Carers UK, there are almost 150,000 young carers across England and Wales who are providing over 50 hours of care each week.
A young carer is someone aged under 18 who has caring responsibilities for a family member – this may be a parent or sibling who requires additional support due to disability, illness or mental health issue.
The school holidays can be difficult for young carers, as they don’t have the usual routine of school or after-school clubs to provide respite from their caring responsibilities.
Warrington Carers Hub is a support service available to young carers in the town. It provides peer support with other young carers and helps them to access additional support in school or college.
What’s on for young carers this summer
Over the summer holidays, Warrington Carers Hub has activities planned to help young carers take a break from their caring responsibilities. Activities young carers can get involved in include:
- School holiday drop in events will be hosted by Warrington Carers Hub at the Gateway, Sankey Street, WA1 1SR, every Thursday from 9.30am – 4pm. Drop in events will also take place at the Living Well Hub, Horsemarket Street, WA1 1XL, on Fridays from 9.30am – 4pm.
- A trip to visit Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s ‘Safety Central’ in Lymm is planned for early August.
- There are plenty of fun activities planned at Warrington Youth Zone, including their summer holiday club, chocolate workshop and performing arts school.
- A trip to visit a local community garden is also planned, where children and young people will have the chance to learn about gardening and growing vegetables and build a bug hotel.
Young carers must be registered with Warrington Carers Hub to attend the summer activities.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for statutory health and social care, said: “I’m pleased to see these additional events and activities on offer for our young carers over the school holidays. Young carers typically have more responsibilities around the home than other children their age. Accessing carer support services will help to ease the pressure of caring over the summer months, and also crucially allow young carers to enjoy a break with other children.”
Cllr Jean Flaherty, cabinet member for children’s, families and education, said: “The summer holidays are a time for children and young people to relax and enjoy a well-earned break from their school work. I’d encourage young carers and their families to access the valuable support provided by Warrington Carers Hub.”
Get involved
To find out more or to book onto any of the fun activities taking place for young carers, email [email protected]. All events are free and available for current young carers registered with Warrington Carers Hub, including those whose caring role has ended in the last six months.
For young carers not currently registered with Warrington Carers Hub, but would like to receive support and attend events, register by calling 0300 303 0623 or email [email protected]
Carers, share your views
Warrington Carers Hub makes up one part of the offer for carers across Warrington. This offer is set out in the Warrington Carers Strategy, which will soon be revised for 2025.
To help ensure carers share their views to help inform the next strategy, carers are invited to complete the latest carers survey. Carers of all ages including young carers, parent carers and adult carers are encouraged to share their views in the survey, which will close on Wednesday 31 July.
