Young carers in Southwark, who have ‘fewer chances to take part in extracurricular activities’, are being encouraged to apply for a new council grant where they could receive up to £500 to allow them to learn a new skill.
Southwark Council has launched a new grant scheme for young carers living in the borough to ‘help them achieve their full potential.’
Grants range from £50 to £500 for individuals or groups of registered young carers aged 11 to 19 years old. The council is suggesting the money go towards things like:
- learning a new skill or improving an existing skill
- signing up for a training course
- taking part in an activity that helps with personal development
- group trips or projects e.g. action to help support the community or tackle a certain issue
This is the first stage of the council’s new grant scheme, starting with young carers as a group with fewer chances to take part in extracurricular activities. The money is intended to ease whatever barrier the young person is facing in achieving their potential, for instance, a lack of time or money.
After phase one of the scheme, it will be opened up to other young people in need.
Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Education, said: “We have over 300 young carers in Southwark. They do vital work in the borough caring for loved ones alongside their other responsibilities, like school and work. This can make it really hard for them to learn or develop skills in the things they are passionate about.
“We want every single young carer to get the support they need and deserve to fulfil their ambitions. Our new grant scheme is designed to help them do exactly that, whether that’s through training, an activity or an item.”
The council is working with Imago Community to deliver the scheme as part of their wider support for young carers in Southwark. Imago Young Carers continues to work with schools, communities, and statutory and voluntary agencies to identify young carers in Southwark. Young carers can be anyone aged 8 – 18 who is taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issue.
Ashley Giles, CYP Operations Manager at Imago Community, said: “This grant scheme is going to be a massive benefit to a large number of young carers right across the borough and will help set them on their way to achieving their goals.
“Young carers can often report feeling isolated and lonely, so to be able to access this grant scheme will go a long way in supporting whichever endeavour they may wish to pursue, be it sporting, educational, cultural or the arts.”
For more information or to apply, click here.
Or alternatively, email youngcarers@imago.community
It runs until May.