A Dorset charity has extended support to its young carers by creating a a fun online range of activities.

MYTime Young Carers says it is very concerned that the current coronavirus crisis is leading to many of the young people it serves feeling potentially isolated.

In response it has created a ‘MYTime at Home’ programme to give young carers a respite.

Krista Cartlidge, Executive Director, pictured left, said: “The charity has responded to the challenging times in which we currently find ourselves.

“We are really concerned about our young carers and are doing everything that we can to continue to support them while they are in their homes and potentially feeling isolated.

“The young carers we support are affected, not only by the uncertainty that many of us are facing now but also with the heightened and very real concern for the health of the family member they care for.

“A huge number of young carers care for family members in a high-risk health category, with the need to be shielded to protect them from the threat of Covid-19.

“We have created a bespoke programme of fun online activities and challenges that young carers can do and engage with at home to give themselves short respite from the caring that they are doing and to give them back a sense of themselves at this strange time.

“We have reached out to lots of incredible people to help us put these activities together – sports people, singers, musicians, poets, writers, photographers, yoga teachers – the list is amazing.

“These people have been so generous in taking the time to share their passions with us and will be creating short videos, blogs and podcasts, which we will then be sharing with our young carers.

“We also intend to share the programme with other young carers organisations and charities nationally.

“The exceptionally talented Jess Berry and Graham Godfrey, both professional musicians, have made our first video to help us launch the ‘MYTime at Home’ programme.

“If you have a passion you would like to share with our young carers please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.”

Krista can be contacted at [email protected]