0:10 In February 2020,
0:12 our Families First - Young Carers project
0:14 became the pathway
0:15 for our young carers
0:16 to access support within Blaenau Gwent.
0:19 At the moment, we are supporting a minimum
0:22 of 130 young carers,
0:24 whether it be accessing our group,
0:26 coming on trips
0:27 like today with Aneurin Leisure,
0:30 our residential trips,
0:32 accessing our young carers ID card,
0:35 or just receiving information
0:37 from our young carers index.
0:39 The benefits of this project
0:41 to the young carers are that,
0:43 you know,
0:44 they've got massive
0:44 responsibilities, caring duties for their family members.
0:47 So this is a time for them
0:49 to go on residentials,
0:50 have some respite, time to play
0:52 and just be children
0:54 and just have opportunities
0:55 to make new friendships with other young carers.
0:58 The staff are amazing.
0:59 It's not a 9 to 5 job.
1:01 The groups that we run are after school hours,
1:03 the residential trips are often on weekends.
1:07 And the staff just really engage
1:10 and are behind all the young carers
1:11 and support them.
1:12 We are experiencing some difficulties at the moment
1:14 with funding but we are focused on
1:15 on keeping the project going
1:17 and keeping offering those young
1:19 people amazing opportunities.
1:20 It helps me because I get to have a break
1:23 from being at my house with my brother
1:27 and I
1:27 get to enjoy
1:29 having fun with other young carers.
1:31 The best thing about coming into
1:33 this project is the fun activities
1:36 because it's just more fun
1:38 than having to sit inside
1:40 all the time.
1:42 The staff are really helpful, and are really nice.
1:46 I'm really proud of the children.
1:48 You know,
1:48 if you think about the responsibilities
1:50 they've got at home,
1:51 the things they have to deal
1:52 with on a daily basis,
1:53 it's great for them to come here,
1:55 do some activities,
1:56 with other young carers,
1:57 have a chance to be children and play,
1:59 and this is why we do what we do.