YOUNG carers in Worcestershire who help look after loved ones with a life-threatening illness now have their own support group.

The Young Carers Group is set to be launched today at the Snowdrop Centre at St Richard’s Hospice, Worcester. The support group will meet on the first Monday of every month from 5.30pm to 7pm. It is available to families who have a relative being helped by the St Richard’s team. Ten families with 20 young carers between them have already joined.

Group organiser Jackie Glass said: “The diagnosis of a life-threatening illness places a huge impact on each and every family member.

“Family life as it was completely changes and becomes very busy with medical appointments, telephone calls, home visits and paperwork – the focus being predominantly on the poorly person. Young people are a witness to all this and it can be confusing and frightening for them having their secure family life turned upside down.

“This is a difficult time for all family members and it is important that each can contribute to the care of the poorly person and feel valued. However, it is also important to look after themselves, too.”

“Caring for someone can be hard work but there are often good times as well. Being able to help someone you love and care for can be a good experience but it can make you feel different.”

The group aims to offer fun, help and support to young carers. There are at least 175,000 young carers in Britain. The average age of a young carer is 12 years old but some are much younger.Visit strichards.org.uk.