Voucher and family activity packs for all Pembs young carers this Christmas

Each young carer in Pembrokeshire is receiving a £20 gift voucher from Pembrokeshire Council and a family activity pack from Action for Children this Christmas. The voucher and packs are being delivered by Action for Children’s Pembrokeshire Young Carers service throughout the early weeks of December.

The gifts are to recognise the extra burden young carers have shouldered throughout the pandemic this year. Young carers in Ceredigion will also receive the family activity packs which will include games, chocolates, mindfulness exercises, family craft packs, selection boxes and other items designed to help the family spend time together.

Roxy Davies (11) from Johnston, looks after her younger sister who is in the process of being diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). She helps her parents with her siblings’ care needs and is also an emotional support for the whole family. She received one of the packs and said: ‘I can’t believe it and I’m just shocked as it was a real surprise. They’ve even included my favourite biscuits!’

Her mum, Francesca added: ‘We’re a bit overwhelmed to receive these gifts, it’s such a kind gesture. I’m sure we’ll have loads of fun playing the games. We wouldn’t have managed without Action for Children, they have been so supportive and so amazing to us as a family in many different ways so this is just lovely.’

Cllr Mike James, Pembrokeshire County Council Carers Champion, said: ‘Young carers are an essential part of their families lives. They are dedicated 24/7. 2020 has been a very testing time for them and their families with the coronavirus pandemic. Young Carers deserve all the thanks they receive especially at Christmas.

‘A £20 voucher from Pembrokeshire County Council and a family activity pack from Action for Children this Christmas is a fantastic gesture and will I hope brighten up the eyes of our dedicated Young Carers and their families.’

Action for Children’s Pembrokeshire Young Carers family support practitioner, Vikki Phillips, added: ‘This year has been a very challenging time for our young carers and we wanted to give them gifts that reward their perseverance and help their families have fun together at Christmas. To see Roxy’s face when I delivered the gifts was wonderful.

‘We have carried on delivering our service to Roxy and all our young people throughout the pandemic to ensure no young carer is left isolated with no support. We have done this through individual and group Microsoft Teams sessions as well as delivering food vouchers and wellbeing packs. The council’s voucher is very generous, and we were delighted to be able to add as well as deliver the activity packs to all our young carers and their families.’