A SERVICE that helps support young carers in Darlington is celebrating after securing funding to ensure it can continue to provide its services to the community.

Darlington Borough Council has provided the cash to local charity DISC, Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community, after it successfully won a tendering process.

The Darlington Young Carers service provides one to one support for young carers and young adult carers up to the age of 25, who help look after a relative who has a condition, such as a disability, illness, mental health condition, or a drug or alcohol problem.

Since beginning in September 2013, the service has supported 351 young carers to date, providing one to one support, activities, information, advice and guidance.

Emma Crawford-Moore, manager at DISC, said: “We’re delighted to have been secured this new funding to allow us to continue to deliver this much needed and valued service for Young Carers and their families.

“As well as supporting the Young Carers in their home, we also work with Darlington Schools to award the Young Carers Schools Charter award which identifies and supports individuals within schools.

“We’re currently working with a number of schools in Darlington and we’re always keen to hear from more local schools who would like to work towards the Charter to support their pupils.”

A council spokesman confirmed the group had received funding to continue its services for young people in the town following a tendering process.

Darlington Young Carers, based at Enterprise House in Darlington, provides a range of assistance to young people to help ease the burden on caring for a family member.

Amongst the services on offer to the young people are one to one support; activities, support groups and respite; as wall as information, advice and guidance.

The charity’s remit covers a range of issues that can affect many areas of a young person’s life, including school and college, employment, and socialising.

And its vital role also looks at individuals in families who are taking on inappropriate or over demanding caring roles often lead to isolation, poor health and reduced life chances, including the ability to take on paid employment.

For information on the service, including the training offered to GP practices and wider organisations on Young Carers, please visit the DISC Education Service at www.disc-vol.org.uk/projects/darlington-young-carers/ call 01325-731160 or email info@disc-vol.org.uk