We were delighted that Nigel Atkinson Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire came to visit our Centre on Tuesday to see firsthand the work we do. This special visit coincided with half-term, Shrove Tuesday and Chinese New Year! We had 26 young carers at our holiday drop-in session with lots of activities planned. We made some Chinese New Year crafts, played football, table tennis and air hockey, with team pancake races thrown in for good measure! Mr Atkinson was welcomed by Amanda Kelly, Charity Executive, our team and our patrons, Mrs Jane Benson and Mr Iain Henderson. We were also lucky to have a 25th anniversary cake to share which was kindly provided by our wonderful patron Mrs Benson.
Amanda and the team showed Mr Atkinson some of the work we do, providing After Schools Clubs for young carers in Andover, helping support young carers groups in schools and providing one to one support for young carers when needed. Mr Atkinson chatted to the young carers, some of whom he had met before on the SS Shieldhall at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s annual awards ceremony.
Mr Atkinson said, “It was a pleasure to come in and visit Andover Young Carers today, meeting the patrons, volunteers and staff and the wonderful young carers, who spoke to me about being a young carer and the help and support they get from Andover Young Carers”. Mrs Benson, one of our patrons said, “It was a delightful afternoon, the young carers chatted with us about their busy lives and we enjoyed sharing the 25th anniversary cake together”.
Caring for someone you love can be hard work, and as a young person even harder. At Andover Young Carers we aim to be a consistent support these young people can rely on, as well as somewhere they get a chance to relax and have some fun.
