Herefordshire Carers Support, which provides support and advice to children and young carers, has been awarded a grant of £53,692.

There are more than four thousand young carers within Herefordshire, looking after sick and disabled family members. They are often responsible for cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and emotional support of one or more people. It can be a confusing and lonely role for a child or young person and can lead to social isolation and damage academic performance, which can have life-long consequences.

Herefordshire Young Carers is a dedicated team within Herefordshire Carers Support who help children and young people who look after someone in their family who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or has a problem with drugs or alcohol. This grant will fund the role of a support worker who will work with schools, families and young carers themselves.

Susan Brace, Young Carers Community Development Worker said:

We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemason for their generous grant. There are around 360 registered Young Carers in Herefordshire but the true number is likely to be much higher. We want these children to be able to live a full life, like their friends, which means they won’t be missing out on their childhoods or education – getting the help and support they desperately need.

Rev’d David Bowen, the Provincial Grand Master of Herefordshire Freemasons, visited the charity to find out more about the impact of their work.

We are very pleased to be able to help Herefordshire Carers Support. The work they do is hugely important and can make an enormous difference to the lives of these vulnerable children.