Young carers who put their lives on hold to tirelessly care for a relative are often forgotten in mainstream society, with few friends and little chance of a future for themselves.
When lorry driver Trevor Lewis entered retirement he decided that instead of putting his feet up or planning holidays with his wife, he would help to turn the lives of these young people around.
Friends of Young Carers are a Wigan and Leigh-based charity which provides respite and the chance of a social life for teenagers aged 18 or under who tend to a family member.
After seeing an advert in the paper Trevor decided to embark on the training to become a family support officer, and seven years later, he hasn’t looked back.
“I took voluntary redundancy and soon after, I found myself getting down about my situation and felt to combat this I could do something to help within the community,” he said.
“I joined Friends of Young Carers as a way to give back, and now I host two young carers’ clubs a week, and once a month I run a transition group for adults over 18 who need a break.”
Trevor, of Alma Grove, Wigan, first experienced a taste of volunteering with the Wigan Children’s Fund, which closed down six months ago, alongside working with Friends of Young Carers.
He now runs clubs on a Wednesday and Thursday night and often takes the groups out on trips to the seaside or the cinema.
“We try to treat them as often as we can, at the end of the day they are young carers and after all they are the ones that deserve a break,” he added.
The aim of the groups is to provide guidance and often act as a shoulder to lean on when times are tough for the young people.
Teenage carers are often forced to act older than their tender years, and Trevor said the group acts as an escape and the chance for them to be like ‘normal’ teenagers – if only for a few hours.
He said: “Over the seven-year period I’ve seen the children who came to us as very lost and in terrible circumstances grow and mature, the reward is just to see them happy and with a smile on their face.
“I like to think I’ve made a difference to the families of young carers, the sessions are giving them respite by taking them out of their routine which in turn helps the families in the long run.”
Trevor, who helps around 40 children a week in his sessions, also volunteered for the Hindley-based bereavement charity Me 2 You before its closure three months ago.
“I would hope that I am seen as someone the young carers can turn to in stressful times and who they can trust to help them when they have problems.
“It’s knowing they have somebody who can help them, that’s why I’m here.”
The pensioner, who said he will keep volunteering for as long as possible, also works with national charity Winston’s Wish, which helps give support to bereaved children.
Friends of Young Carers project manager Paul Carroll said Trevor’s reliability and willingness to do more for carers makes him such a hit with everyone he works with.
“Trevor is an absolutely brilliant volunteer; the charity wouldn’t be where we are without his hard work and dedication to the cause.
“Both the children and adult carers love spending time with him, he supports our fundraising and is never afraid to get involved – he’s a diamond in the rough.
“He will always go the extra mile with everything and is never afraid to get his hands dirty!”
If you are interested in volunteering, or if you would like to attend one of the groups, visit www.friendsofyoungcarers.co.uk
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