We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a vital grant as part of the Hampshire Active Health Programme. Like most young people, our young carers love getting outside to play. We constantly hear ‘I love playing football’ or ‘I want to stay playing in the park all night’, but they often miss out due to their caring role or lack of money, which can impact on their physical and mental health. This grant will enable us to provide opportunities for young carers to have access to regular physical activities and try new things, as well as help reduce feelings of isolation and missing out. Most importantly young carers get the chance to have fun, relax and just be children, which can help with their well-being and self-esteem.
The Hampshire Active Health Programme has provided one-off grants to organisations working to encourage and provide physical activity opportunities in communities facing the biggest health inequalities. Regular physical activity is proven to help both physical and mental health, and everyone should aim to be physically active every day.
The programme is managed by Energise Me, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, with funding provided by the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) from the Department of Health and Social Care.
“Young carers do such an amazing role in looking after their loved ones. I’m so pleased we’re able to support Andover Young Carers in their mission to bring fun and enjoyable physical activity to these local young people, so they get a much-needed chance to focus on their own physical and mental wellbeing“. Emma Dovener, Grants Manager, Energise Me.
Mick Mundy, Trustee at AYC said “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this funding as part of the Hampshire Active Health Programme. This will enable us to increase the level and choice of physical activities offered to support the well-being of young carers, which will help with their physical and mental health and give them that all important opportunity to just have some fun”.