Active Hastings and Care for the Carers launch their Young Carers Campaign

Working together Active Hastings and local charity Care for the Carers, are very excited to launch their new Young Carers campaign. Working with local sports clubs, teams and organisations the campaign has been created to recognise and support young carers in Hastings. A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who helps to care for a family member, relative or friend who couldn't manage without their support. This campaign strives to break down barriers many young carers face when participating in physical activity, by ensuring staff and volunteers are young carer aware.

During the campaign Active Hastings will be asking local sports clubs and organisations throughout Hastings to sign their young carers pledge, to make physical activity accessible to everyone. Care for the Carers have put together a useful information pack, which explains how sports clubs and teams can support young carers and includes helpful tips and hints. For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Sarah, Active Hastings Youth Link Worker, at activehastings@hastings.gov.uk.

For Carers Week, Active Hastings and Care for the Carers, will also be holding a free young carers taster event on Saturday 10 June (2pm to 4pm) at Summerfields Leisure Centre. During the event young carers will have the opportunity to take part in different taster sessions and speak to various local physical activity provider. (This course is no longer available. Please see our other courses on the Active Hastings listings page)

Councillor Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council, said: "I am delighted we have joined forces with Care for the Carers for this important campaign. We hope by raising awareness of young carers locally, it will help remove some of the challenges they face when being physical active."

Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive at Care for the Carers, said: "Care for the Carers are delighted with the opportunity to work with Active Hastings to raise the profile of young carers - a group of exceptional young people who often prioritise others over their own health and wellbeing. This campaign has the opportunity to have a long lasting impact on young carers and their ability to manage and improve their own wellbeing."

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, and brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active. There are a range of exercise classes to suit everyone, check out the Active Hastings website for the list of activities happening near you (www.activehastings.org.uk).

-ENDS
Notes to editor:
Active Hastings works closely with local providers of physical activity to give you easy, fun ways to get your everyday dose of physical activity. It only takes 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 a day for children to get fitter, healthier and happier. You can even break it down into 10 minute slots!
Active Hastings coordinates the local Community Physical Activity Network, which brings together schools, sport clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport, health organisations, the voluntary sector and the private sector to work together, unblock barriers to participation and improve the local sport and physical activity delivery system.
Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, but brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active
Find out more at www.activehastings.org.uk or follow them on Facebook 'Active Hastings'.
For more information contact Emma Bailey (She/Her), Social Marketing and Communications Officer, Active Hastings, Hastings Borough Council on 01424 451 145 or
email: emma.bailey@hastings.gov.uk