The Brechfa Fund initially supported the Carers Trust with a modest award (£3,856)  to support trips and outings for 9 young carers who live in the funds area of benefit. The panel then invited this project to further investigate the needs of local young carers which eventually resulted in a further successful application for £15,000 per year for 3 years to part fund a support worker for this area specifically.

The Trust supports local residents like 22 year old Lucy from Pencader who has been the sole, primary carer for her mum since she had a brain aneurism when Lucy was just 11. Naturally this significantly affected her schoolwork and friendships. She felt very unsupported until she was referred the Carers Trust’s Young Adult Carer (YAC) project.

Lucy lives with her mum and spends time with her partner when she can as her caring role is very intense, especially as in recent months her mum now also has kidney failure and is awaiting dialysis and potential transplant. Lucy provides physical and mental health support and takes her mum to appointments, does the shopping and chores and anything else needed. Since accessing the YAC projects Lucy has really come out of herself, increasing her confidence and making new friends who also have caring responsibilities. She attends the Trusts youth clubs in Carmarthen and has benefitted from the short breaks funded by the Brechfa Fund.

Lucy has been proactive in raising awareness of the issues faced by younger carers and even headed up a petition to Parliament regarding the ruling which prevents carers from studying more than 21 hours a week and claiming Carers Allowance.  Despite her best efforts and an audience with the DWP Minister, this has unfortunately yet to change.

“Lucy is a truly amazing young woman and it has been a privilege to work with her”         

Melanie Rees, Young Carers Service Manager for Carmarthenshire