Author: Charlie Burke

We’ve been EGGtra busy this half term!

This Easter are charity has provided over 260 places for Young Carers to enjoy across 10 respite trips, including visiting Millets, Science Oxford, football training with Oxford City and getting stuck into some arts and crafts too!

A huge thank you to Saïd Business School and Play2Give for donating Easter Eggs for our Young Carers to enjoy this half term!

115 eggs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and alternative options, as well as 13 chocolate bunnies and bears, 15 small chocolate eggs, and eight sweet and chocolate bags were very kindly gifted to us by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Play2Give also gave us an eggcellent collection of Easter goodies, giving us 106 in total!

Our Young Carers really have been spoilt for choice again this year!

We are always so grateful every year to receive such generous donations from local businesses and like minded community organisations, looking to make a difference to the children and young people in their areas.  And there’s one thing we know for sure if chocolate eggs really go down a treat with our Young Carers!

Unfortunately the cost of living doesn’t only impact households but charities too, especially small charities.

We are now supporting our highest number of Young Carers since our charity began. We do all this without government funding, relying solely on funding success and community fundraising. As times get harder even funding applications we once succeeded in have become harder to obtain.

The last thing we want to do is stop running respite trips and giving our Young Carers the childhood they deserve. There are lots of ways you and your company can get involved in supporting us, specifically offering opportunities to our young carers. Whether it’s tickets to a sporting event, a technology workshop, drawing classes or catering for their lunch – our Young Carers really do appreciate your support.

If you or your company think you can give the gift of a trip, activity or opportunity, please get in touch by emailing yc@befreeyc.org.uk

As many of you are already aware our charity is currently the region’s sole charity dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing and life opportunities of young carers through recreational, emotional and social support.

Our team engages with 650 young carers in South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse and Oxford City annually, but is now broadening its footprint to fulfil the latest phase of its countywide expansion plans!

On Wednesday night, our BFYC team alongside our trustees, charity supporters and friends came together to officially launch in West Oxfordshire!

Sabiene North, CEO of Be Free Young Carers, said expanding the charity’s work into west Oxfordshire will unlock critical support services to help young carers thrive both independently and in their life-changing roles.

“Being a young carer is the ultimate responsibility,” said Sabiene. “In almost all cases, young carers have no choice but to take on the role while their peers can enjoy the freedoms every young person should have the opportunity to enjoy.

“We believe all children should have the chance to be children by living in a fun, engaging and supportive environment away from the pressures of their important caring roles.

“That’s why expanding our work into west Oxfordshire is such a positive step forwards as provisions equivalent to the opportunities our team provide are extremely limited right now.

“In our 30 years as a charity, we’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact our work has on individuals and those who are reliant on the care of a younger relative. This latest phase of our countywide expansion plans will ensure we can continue to meet the requirements of young carers in the regions we serve.”

Carly Buckingham, Youth Worker at Be Free Young Carers, has been in her role since 2011 and said the requirement to support Oxfordshire’s young carers has never been greater.

“We’re constantly exploring how we can improve opportunities to help young carers in Oxfordshire fulfil their potential,” said Carly. “Our countywide expansion plans will deliver the best opportunities and outcomes to those we work with.’

FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE – Be Free Young Carers celebrate expansion into west Oxfordshire | Charity Today News