We are very grateful to the Ernest Cook Trust for offering young carer families the chance to have a fun day out in the woods at one of their centres this summer! This is linked to their Covid-19 response in support of vulnerable families and promoting the wellbeing impacts of time spent outdoors.

As in previous years Gloucestershire Young Carers is also taking small groups of young carers to the Trust’s Redwood Outdoor Learning Centre in Slimbridge. This is for young carers 8 to 15 years old offering activities such as den building, orienteering and making a campfire. This year we are taking groups restricted to 12 young carers and three members of staff to meet current guidance, with risk assessments in place on the day ensuring hygiene protocols etc.

We know that 2020 has been an especially difficult year for many young carers and their families and are pleased that some of them will get the opportunity to have a day of respite enjoying the great outdoors.

Laura Ritchings  (Development Worker  - Youth work) ‘We always enjoy working with the Ernest Cook Trust and their days out are always both a lot of fun and informative, as young carers get to have new experiences ‘in the wild’. Their family offer is especially welcomed this year as it gives individual families the opportunity for a safe day out and a shared positive experience which is well needed at this time’.