Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement that £300,000 from the £350 million communities funding to support people and communities affected by COVID-19, is being given to support young carers across Scotland.
The additional funding comes as National Carers Week begins.
Young Scot will receive £200,000 to provide online subscriptions and e-vouchers for young carers. Meanwhile £100,000 will go to expanding the Time To Live small grants scheme. This is in addition to the Young Carer Grant of £305 per year.
The SNP MSP said: “This additional funding will be a welcome boost to young carers in North Ayrshire who make an invaluable contribution to our communities.
“Carers, and particularly young carers, may be facing increased levels of strain due to the current pandemic which will have limited their opportunities for respite from their roles.
“I’d encourage anybody aged between 16 and 18 years old who spends more than 16 hours per week caring for a person in receipt of certain disability benefits to apply to the Time To Live grant scheme.”
“This funding recognises their commitment and offers opportunities and resources which will help to improve their quality of life at this time.”
- A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 (or 18 and still at school) who provides or intends to provide care for someone else.
- The Young Scot package is available to all young carers aged 11-18 and can be applied for via the Young Scot website.
- The Time to Live small grants are available to young carers of any age through their local delivery partner – usually a local carers centre. Carers can find out where their nearest delivery partner is via the Shared Care Scotland website.
- Eligible young carers can apply for the Young Carer Grant via the Social Security Scotland website.
Ruth Maguire MSP 