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Highland lockdown cheer for Kirkhill young carer


By Louise Glen

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Molly Maber was given money from Connecting Carers.
Molly Maber was given money from Connecting Carers.

A young carer from Kirkhill has been given a lockdown boost thanks to the efforts of a Dingwall charity.

Connecting Carers has helped unpaid carers lift the pandemic gloom by handing out funds to help them buy a range of equipment.

With the second lockdown in Scotland taking its toll, the carers, who already have an often exhausting time under normal circumstances, were all desperate to find a way to relieve some of the added pressure on them.

The Scottish Government announced it was sending out extra cash to unpaid carers around the country to be given to the most-deserving cases in the form of short-break awards that could be used to buy items that would help carers get some respite.

Connecting Carers, a Highland–wide charity, based in Dingwall, then had the task of finding those under the most pressure to give them the funds they needed to allow them some time to themselves.

Hayley Maber, the mother of young carer Molly, 13, from Kirkhill, Inverness, said: “Molly, 13, is a young Carer, caring for her mum, assisting with emotional and physical help and support as and when required. Molly was awarded some funding through Connecting Young Carers which she used

to purchase a handmade hobby horse.

“Molly has a passion for animals, and in particular, horses but she also enjoys staying active and having fun with doing agility work on her hobby horse, alongside the family dog.

“The purchase of the hobby horse allows Molly to burn off any stress and anxiety as well as any excess energy in a fun and joyful way which in turn allows her to continue her caring role feeling calmer and happier.”

Unpaid carers range in age from as young as five years old to OAPs and all of them have their own ways of finding some respite.

Connecting Carers’ manager Roisin Connolly, said: : “No matter what age having a break from caring is vital to ensure that unpaid carers, both young and adults, feel rested and ready to face the challenges that caring for another person brings.
"We are delighted that the Scottish Government recognised that the pandemic had created added pressure to many unpaid Carers and in many situations their caring responsibilities increased as statutory services were not available. The additional short-break grants provided through the Government fund allowed for creativity and flexibility of use.”

Read more about Connecting Carers.


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