We are delighted to have been chosen as charity of the year by Optimising IT who operate from the offices right next door to GYC! The dynamic team of 29 staff have already started brainstorming ideas and have lots of plans to fundraise for us including exhilarating skydives, extreme physical challenges, BBQ’s and more!

The team said “We’ve chosen Gloucestershire Young Carers as our charity of the year because of the fantastic work they do supporting young people in our community who have to provide care for others, often in difficult situations and times of their lives; including multiple members of our team here at Optimising IT.”

A member of the team shared their very personal reasons for wanting to give back to our charity and help us to support other young carers in a similar situation they found themselves in. “As an only child to a single parent, I was thrown into the world of caring for my parent when I was 14. I often didn’t know what was going to happen at any point, or where to turn when I needed help, until I was introduced to GYC. They sat, listened, offered sound advice and, most importantly to me at that time in my life, spoke to me like an adult and empathised with the situation at hand; all while suggesting which care organisations could help my parent (over 15 years later and I’m still in touch with those organisations!)  While I wasn’t involved with GYC for a huge length of time, the impact they had was a lasting one, and it’s great to help give back all these years later. “

We are really looking forward to working together and are very grateful for this support that will make a huge difference to young carers in the county. Our partnership begins on 1^st July for 1 year.