Funding boost for Shetland Carers to support vulnerable unpaid carers in Shetland

Voluntary Action Shetland’s Shetland Carers project is using a funding award of £134,082 from the Carers Trust to reach carers from under-represented groups who have received little support for their caring roles.

The project will support anyone who is a young carer (under 18) or young adult carer (under 25) in Shetland who is providing care for a family member. Through the project, more young people will be identified and able to access information, advice and support to help them in their caring role. Young people will be supported by Shetland Carers to have a life alongside their caring role, with increased opportunities to take a break and connect with other carers.

Support Worker Kirsten Harcus said ‘’Shetland Carers are delighted to secure this funding which will enable us to develop our existing service supporting local carers. We look forward to working with key partners to raise awareness and identify young people who are currently not receiving any support and provide a support service according to their needs’’.

Shetland Carers expansion of targeted support for unpaid carers from under-represented community groups has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Covid-19 Support Fund to national carers charity, Carers Trust. As part of its Making Carers Count programme, Carers Trust has used the grant to award funding to 25 of its local partner services, including Shetland Carers, to deliver targeted project activities in their local areas until end March 2024. These activities will support approximately 13,500 unpaid carers across the UK as a whole.

Newly appointed Young Carers Support Worker, Laura Guthrie said “I am looking forward to this new opportunity to provide Shetland with a service that has been needed for many families, and will be an amazing reward.’’ Laura can be contacted on 01595 743906 or at laura.gurthrie2@shetland.org