This Thursday we are asking members of the public to recognise local Hidden Heroes by sharing their weekly clap for the NHS with the young carers supported by Youth Action Wiltshire.

Claps and cheers will show over 870 young carers, aged from 5 to 18, that they are not forgotten within the community. These amazing young people care for parents, brothers, sisters or grandparents due to disability, illness or mental health. Their essential role in their families means they are tasked with cooking, cleaning, shopping, personal care and medication, as well as emotional support.

Throughout the lockdown, Youth Action Wiltshire have carried out welfare checks, delivered remote 1:1 support, and provided a wide range of opportunities for young carers to stay connected and engaged. Their well-being has been our main concern, however this does not match the breadth of informal education, sports, arts, volunteering and social activities they would normally have access to through our service.

As the current restrictions recede, economic effects and social damage will mean that the need for our work with Wiltshire’s young carers will be greater than ever. However the charity has an immediate shortfall in funding as a result of postponed fundraising events and loss of income from our wonderful Outdoor Education Centre at Oxenwood.

So on Thursday 30th April at 8pm we invite you to acknowledge their invisible but vital contribution, when we clap for these Hidden Heroes and please consider making an online donation to help us reach and support all the young carers of our county.

For regular updates on the young carers and our events please follow us on our new Instagram account: @youthactionwilts.