The new Young Carers’ ID card scheme, funded by Welsh government, aims to promote opportunities for each young carer to provide a balance to their caring roles and responsibilities, whilst maintaining confidentiality of their personal details. The ID card also enables the young person to receive a range of discounts across many local businesses.

At Aneurin Leisure Trust, we are proud to support young carers living in Blaenau Gwent, offering many different benefits with presentation of a registered ID card, across all areas of the Trust.

Working closely with Families First, our Sports Development Team recently helped fund an activity day at our local nature reserve, Parc Bryn Bach. This helped to celebrate Young Carers Action Day 2023, which annually aims to raise awareness of the incredible help and support each young carer gives to their families and local communities. Twenty four young carers participated in many different fun and exciting activities, such as the climbing wall, ‘The Cave’ (an artificial caving experience at the park), Tiki stand up paddleboarding, mini golf, orienteering and go-karting.

Watch a video on the activity day here in English or Welsh

The Families First team said, “These experiences are fundamental for the well-being of our young carers, to improve their self-confidence, self-esteem and to provide a space to form friendships.”

Following the success of the activity day, a second day has been organised for more young carers to experience and enjoy in August. Furthermore, there were four young carers who completed a Duke of Edinburgh award under the guidance of the Parc Bryn Bach team, over the course of two days, which included learning map reading skills and hiking.

Working closely with our young carers and the Families First team, we hope to start a new project which involves growing fruit, vegetables and other plants at Parc Bryn Bach. This will create new learning experiences and opportunities for the young people, with the aim of further supporting their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Therefore helping to support Blaenau Gwent in its mission to become a Sustainable Food Place.

The benefits to young carers on offer from Aneurin Leisure Trust are:

•  20 free swimming places

•  Concessionary sport centre membership

•  Free playscheme places

•  10% discount on food and drink at the cafés of Ebbw Vale Sport Centre, Parc Bryn Bach and Bedwellty House and Park

•  10% discount on all pay-as-you-go activities at Parc Bryn Bach

•  A wide variety of services on offer at all our libraries.

To find out more information, please contact adam.hughes@aneurinleisure.org.uk