ANDOVER Young Carers has been awarded more than £14,000 to help provide better opportunities for those it supports. 

The grant worth £14,360.00, provided by Energise Me's Hampshire Active Health Programme, will help Andover Young Carers (AYC) provide opportunities for young carers to have access to regular physical activities and try new things.

The programme has provided one-off grants to organisations working to encourage and provide physical activity opportunities in communities facing the biggest health inequalities. 

"Young carers do such an amazing role in looking after their loved ones. I'm so pleased we're able to support Andover Young Carers in their mission to bring fun and enjoyable physical activity to these local young people, so they get a much-needed chance to focus on their own physical and mental wellbeing," said Emma Dovener, grants manager at Energise Me.

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The programme is managed by Energise Me, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, with funding provided by the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) from the Department of Health and Social Care.

The charity provides support for isolated, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people aged between eight and 18 with caring responsibilities for a family member with a disability, illness, poor mental health and/or alcohol or drug abuse problems. 

Mick Mundy, trustee at Andover Young Carers, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this funding as part of the Hampshire Active Health Programme. This will enable us to increase the level and choice of physical activities offered to support the wellbeing of young carers, which will help with their physical and mental health and give them that all important opportunity to just have some fun."