Around 50 young carers and their families will have an evening to remember, thanks to a Redcar-based charity and funding of £1000 from UK Steel Enterprise.
The Junction Foundation, a charity that works with hundreds of young people facing a whole range of difficulties, is throwing its young carers a party and presenting them with awards at Middlesbrough Football Club’s Riverside Stadium to mark Young Carers Week.
The event, on Thursday June 9, will say a big thank you to the young people for everything they do and also give them the chance to entertain their families.
UK Steel Enterprise, the business-support subsidiary of Tata Steel, has contributed from its special Community Support Fund, set up to back projects that improve the lives of people in steel areas.
Lawrence McAnelly, The Junction Foundation’s Chief Executive said: “The money from UK Steel Enterprise means that we can give these deserving young carers a really special evening with the food, entertainment and treats that they deserve. They put so much into helping their families every day, often sacrificing their own leisure time, and deserve a huge pat-on-the-back.
“They are already excited about the event and will be contributing themselves through music, presentations and even displays of postcards they have made.”
Some of the young carers will be presented with an ASDAN Peer Mentor Award, an accredited training course that enables them to act as peer mentors to other young carers. Others will receive certificates for completing the Friends Programme, an emotional wellbeing programme designed to build resilience in children and young people.
The Junction Foundation provides advice, support, counselling and social activities for young people under the age of 25 in Teesside who are dealing with issues from homelessness, financial or educational difficulties and mental health problems to unemployment, caring responsibilities or being at risk of substance misuse.
“In the past year more than 850 young people have come to The Junction and been supported in some way,” said Lawrence. “Fund-raising isn’t easy so we are always delighted to have donations or sponsorship from individuals, businesses or organisations such as UK Steel Enterprise. It makes a big difference to the lives and future of these young people.
“UK Steel Enterprise also gave us £1,550 in 2010 to refurbish our HQ in Station Rd and we are very grateful for this second contribution,” he added.
Sarah Thorpe of UK Steel Enterprise said “The Junction Foundation provides invaluable support and encouragement to hundreds of young people, helping to improve their lives and opportunities. Young carers do an amazing job and we were happy to help say thank you to them. We hope everyone has a great night.”