A children’s book written by young carers in Bridgend County Borough has been republished to help raise awareness about the important roles that they play in looking after the needs of family members and relatives.
Written and created by Bridgend Young Carers, ‘The Bear Who Struggled To Care’ highlights the challenges faced by children and young people who care for family members while also showcasing their strength, resilience and determination.
Organised by Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust, the relaunch of the book saw children from local schools visiting Pencoed Library and Bridgend Library for two special events where the tale was brought to life with an audio narration from Ollie Mallin, a Young Carer ambassador and one of the book’s authors.
Young carers were in attendance to talk about their experiences, and each participant received a free copy of ‘The Bear Who Struggled to Care’ along with a cupcake decorated with the title character to help make the occasion both meaningful and memorable.
“Bridgend County Borough Council is proud to support and celebrate our young carers, and we will continue to champion initiatives that raise awareness, reduce barriers and help young carers to thrive. ‘The Bear Who Struggled To Care’ is a powerful and heartfelt storybook created by the young carers themselves, and it has proven to be remarkably popular. “Events such as this provide an opportunity for young carers to come together, celebrate their achievements and feel recognised for their vital role. They also provide a valuable opportunity for the council’s Prevention and Wellbeing team to meet with young carers directly, listen to their experiences and offer targeted support. “This work aligns closely with the Young Carers Covenant, which the council proudly supports as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that young carers are recognised for their roles early on, and are listened to and supported so that they can achieve their full potential alongside their education, health and wellbeing.”
“This was a great opportunity for the children to attend and mix with other carers. Our pupils had a great time and were very happy with their goody bags!”
‘The Bear Who Struggled To Care’ is available in Welsh and English and can be purchased directly from the www.bridgendcarers.co.uk website.
All proceeds from the book will be reinvested into support for young carer services across the county borough, and in helping to ensure they can receive ongoing care and assistance.
