Welsh young carers get creative at design workshop

Youngsters got to grips with becoming T-shirt designers for the day at Action for Children's Pembrokeshire Young Carers project in Haverfordwest.

The young carers joined forces with local artists Pip Lewis and Guy Norman of Space to Create for the silk screen printing workshop.

The youngsters created and printed a design onto a t-shirt based on the theme: 'What Makes You You'.

Pembrokeshire Young Carers project supports children and young people aged between eight and 25 whose lives are restricted by the need to care for a family member with a long-term illness or disability.

The service works with young carers and also supports their families. Offering a variety of activities aimed at encouraging the young person to forget the burden of their responsibilities for a while and concentrate on their own needs.

 Charlotte Phillips, Action for Children Young Carers Project Coordinator said: "The workshop was a great success, all the young people were really pleased with their creations.  It also gave the young carers the opportunity to meet other young people with similar experiences in a safe, protective environment. We are a new project and look forward to working with more young carers and developing the service around what they want and need.  The project will offer a mix of opportunities for fun, socialising and self-development."

Staff members at the project are set to run support groups across Pembrokeshire and activity programmes during the holidays. 

Charlotte added: "We will also offer one to one support and development opportunities and are developing a website and a young person's charter, under the guidance of Young Person Project Management Group."

Eden, aged 8, said: "It was the best day ever. I can't believe what I made and my mum was really pleased.  I'm glad I went to the workshop". 

Daisy, aged 9, said: "I really liked printing and making my t-shirt, it's been one of the best workshops ever". 

Rose, aged 9, said: "I have really enjoyed the printing and what I made.  I also enjoyed the warm up games". 

 Action for Children supports over 15,000 of the most vulnerable and neglected children, young people and their families in local communities throughoutWales.

 For more information on Pembrokeshire Young Carers contact   Charlotte Phillips on 01437 761 330.