A NEW support group has been set up for the estimated 300 unpaid young carers in Darlington.

The Time Out group is being run by Darlington Crossroads, a charity specialising in providing respite care for the growing number of carers in Darlington, using trained members of staff to offer a helping hand for a few hours a week to any full time carers.

Darlington Crossroads, which employs 25 staff, has just moved from its original office in Union Street to a newly refurbished office at the Lingfield Point development.

It is part of the National Association of Crossroads and is one of more than 200 schemes across the country working to make life easier for unpaid carers.

The new Time Out group will aim to give youngsters aged eight to 18 a break from looking after an ill parent or other members of their family.

Liz Chard, scheme manager, said: "There are estimated to be up to 300 young carers in Darlington.

"Many youngsters are left to look after their siblings if a parent is ill and this can leave them feeling isolated.

"This scheme gives them a chance to meet other people of the same age who are in a similar situation to themselves.

"This gives the young carer a break without worrying about the person they look after."

Talking about the office move, Ms Chard said: "We outgrew the previous offices in Union Street, as our services have developed, so a move was essential for us to continue offering a high-quality service to carers in Darlington.

"Moving to Lingfield Point has provided us with a much more appropriate head office, we are now working in a modern office environment, there is excellent disabled access and good parking facilities."

The National Association of Crossroads provides more than 3.7m care hours each year.