Wellbeing packs are being sent to young carers across Ceredigion to support their wellbeing and encourage them to read this summer.
Young carers face the difficulty of balancing their caring responsibilities with their everyday life, including their education. These wellbeing packs will give them a boost and recognize their excellent work.
A total of 80 packs have been provided in partnership between Ceredigion County Council and the Books Council of Wales. They include a selection of six reading books, a packet of bee-friendly seeds, a reusable water bottle and some delicious Welsh chocolate, as well as a Young Carers Skills Journal.
The Ceredigion Love Reading scheme aims to support the health, wellbeing and reading development of vulnerable children and young people. This is especially important due to the increased demands and difficulties because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Last summer, 100 packs were sent to 100 families with children who received support through the Local Authority.
Councillor Catherine Hughes, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member and Champion for Carers, said: “I’m very proud of this fantastic initiative between the Book Council of Wales and the Local Authority to provide such meaningful wellbeing packs to our young carers. Being a young carer is challenging at best, but added pressures have been introduced over recent months due to the pandemic. We hope that the wellbeing packs will bring our young carers great pleasure as we recognize their excellent work.”
Angharad Sinclair, Project Development Manager for the Children’s Books and Reading Promotion Department at the Books Council of Wales, said: “It is wonderful to be working with Ceredigion County Council again on such a worthwhile initiative which will provide a confidence boost and recognition of the achievements of these young carers during a very difficult time. Escaping into a book can be such an effective way for us all to take a break from the daily pressures of life and we hope these book packs will encourage their reading journey too.”
