Young carers taken for day out at Langford Lakes Nature Reserve
The group were given a break from their responsibilities at home
A group of Young Carers have been taken for day out at Langford Lakes Nature Reserve to give them a break from their responsibilities at home.
Carer Support Wiltshire have been organising a variety of events for children who help care for other family members, including an archaeological dig earlier in August.
Greatest Hits Radio Salisbury has been able to visit the young carers at Langford Lakes to speak Eric, who cares for his mum at home.
“I don’t want to stay in all summer holidays, so I like going to these types of places,” he told us.
On coming to days out, such as the one at Langford Lakes, Eric said they make him feel happy, saying, "It gives me a break."
A Multi-sensory experience
The group, led by Young Carer Team Leader Lindsey Clay and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Education and Wellbeing Officer Trish Venman, spent the day at the Nature Reserve spotting birds, forage and identify different plants and explore the different species that live in the Chalke Stream soils that run through the reserve.
Trish said the it was a chance for the children to do what interests them.
“I think it’s so important to give them the chance to just play. Play is so important for wellbeing.”
Trish added that the play gave the children a feeling of ‘freedom’ that they wouldn’t get most of the time.
Using nature to help wellbeing is a well-known process, but Trish explained to us that it’s the multi-sensory experience that gives everyone, not just children, added health benefits.
“Nature connection is so important, we had our hands in the water, we were getting wet, we had the wind blowing over our faces, the smells, the textures.
All of that is so important to us because we need to nurture our bodies as well as our minds.”
Young Carers can feel isolated
It’s estimated that for every known young carer, there are as many as four or five that aren’t known about.
Carer Support Wiltshire’s Linsdey Clay said young carers often feel different to their friends because of their extra responsibilities.
“A lot of the time, they find it easier to relate to children or adults older than them because they have similar sorts of responsibilities.
“Having activities like this is really important because it allows the children to come out and just have fun.”
It’s hoped that the benefits outdoor activities and exercise bring is able to help the young carers feel good, meaning they are more resilient and able to cope with the more difficult sides of their lives.