As many of you are already aware, our charity is currently the region’s sole charity dedicated to enhancing the well-being 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!
Last month, 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.
Sabiene said:
“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.”
“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.”
To mark Be Free Young Carers’ expansion, the charity held a special celebration in partnership with TWM Financial Planning.
The event underlined the importance of the charity’s work after research found that two in three young carers aged 8-17 suffer from stress, more than half (51 per cent) live with sleep problems, and over a third (39 per cent) are frustrated by their role.
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.
Carly said:
“We’re constantly exploring how we can improve opportunities to help young carers in Oxfordshire fulfil their potential. Our countywide expansion plans will deliver the best opportunities and outcomes to those we work with.
“Being born and raised in west Oxfordshire, it makes me proud that our services will be touching the lives of children growing up locally to me. Every young carer is an unsung hero in my opinion and deserves to be supported in their role.”
Based in Witney, TWM Financial Planning backed Be Free Young Carers during the pandemic by donating laptops for young people to use who were relying on smartphones or borrowed hardware to attend school lessons.
Director Mat Timms said:
“It was our pleasure to celebrate the launch of Be Free Young Carers’ expansion into west Oxfordshire by hosting the team and guests at our headquarters.
“As a father myself, I realise daily how privileged my children are to enjoy their childhood without the additional weight of responsibility that comes with being a carer at such a young age.
“We’re proud to support Be Free Young Carers in upscaling the vital work of their youth workers, volunteers and team behind the scenes who play such an important role in making a positive difference to the lives of those they work with.”