Be Free Young Carers - Oxfordshire
Young People
We want to provide more free activities for young carers so they have time to socialise and have fun away from their caring roles.
About this cause
BeFreeYC supports over 450 Young Carers (YCs) throughout Southern Oxfordshire offering social activities, trips and skills training helping YCs cope with caring. YCs are children/young people who help look after a relative with a disability/illness/mental health condition or substance abuse problem. There are over 2,000 YCs in Southern Oxon. Demand for our service is high, a YC said, “it's a real lifeline which helps me cope”. Caring impacts on YCs health, well-being, educational attainment, social inclusion and life prospects. ¾ of YCs experience physical/emotional strain, profound isolation and loneliness often leading to depression and stress with many at greater risk of becoming vulnerable young adults, prone to deprivation and exploitation. We aim to improve their life chances.
How this cause brings people in the community together
In Southern Oxfordshire there are over 2,000 carers identified in the 2011 Census. Oxfordshire Community Foundation estimates that on average, there are 2 in every classroom. By offering activities Be Free YC improves the self-confidence and self-worth of young carers, which helps them better integrate in school and gives them the confidence to feel and be part of the wider local community.