TWO carers’ charities have joined forces to support 600 young adult carers after receiving almost £400,000 of Big Lottery Funding.

Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource (SRCR) is working with Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre to make the lives of carers aged between 16 and 35 easier.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource £392,713 to continue the work the charities do and expand the services in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The project will help young adult carers make informed choices about their futures, access training, learning and employment and receive individual advice, as well as helping them to continue caring while having a life of their own.

The project includes the provision of social activities which will allow young adult carers to make new friends and mix with people their own age who are in similar situations.

Volunteering opportunities will be offered and there will be the chance for young adult carers to have their voices heard in developing services for 16 to 35 year olds.

Elizabeth McPherson, chief officer of SRCR, said “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Big Lottery Fund to continue to develop and expand this much needed service over half of North Yorkshire.

“The project will have a major impact for at least 600 young adult carers within our communities over the next four years. We are aiming to start the project toward the end of the summer 2015.”

Sian Balsom, chair of the board of trustees, added: “We can now work with many more young adult carers who are missing out on this much needed support.

“The grant will help address the transition from young carers to adult carers as well as supporting parent carers.

“To be in a position where we can dedicate more resources to young adult carers will make a real difference to the lives of these young people.”

Andrea Hobbs, chief officer of Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre, said “This is great news for us.

“We are really delighted to be part of this partnership and being given the opportunity to extend this work into Hambleton and Richmondshire.”

Both SRCR and Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre also provide support to young carers aged under 18, to give them the same opportunities as other children.

For more information contact Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource on 01723 850155 or visit www.carersresource.net; or call Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre on 01609 780872, or visit www.hrcarers.org.uk.