A young carer has smashed his fundraising target in a bid to raise money for a charity which offers specialist support for young carers in Wiltshire.
11-year-old Oliver from Aldbourne, near Marlborough is a Year 6 pupil at St Michael’s School. Oliver has been mowing lawns and helping with gardening tasks in his village to raise money for Youth Action Wiltshire, an award-winning service for young people from leading local charity Community First.
Oliver and his sister Katie are both young carers and currently access support, mentoring, coaching and respite activities through Youth Action Wiltshire. At the Community First AGM and Awards Celebration event in October 2022, Oliver also received an award in recognition of his amazing achievements and resilience in his caring role.
Due to the support received, Oliver decided he wanted to give something back to the charity that helps him and his family and he decided to set up a fundraiser.
Oliver receives a young carers achievement award from Mrs Sarah Troughton (left) HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire and President of Community First
With support from his mum Hannah, Oliver created a Just Giving fundraising page in April 2023, with the original aim of raising £50 in support of Youth Action Wiltshire. Just two weeks later, Oliver had already smashed his original fundraising target and raised an amazing £350 by mowing lawns and helping with gardening tasks in his local community.
Youth Action Wiltshire works with young people aged 5-18 years in Wiltshire, with some support offered to young people in Swindon. The service offers intensive mentoring, coaching and skills training for young carers, young victims of crime and young people facing challenges in their lives.
Young people involved with Youth Action Wiltshire also take part in exciting adventure and respite activities during school holidays. Many of these activities such as camping, climbing, sailing, sports, crafts and conservation take place at Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre and Linkenholt Countryside Adventure Centre, which are also operated by Community First.
As a young carer, Oliver receives support and mentoring to help him in his caring role and attends Youth Action Wiltshire respite activities. This gives Oliver the opportunity to meet other young carers and spend time with specialist youth support workers employed by the charity. Oliver’s sister Katie is also a young carer and receives similar support from Youth Action Wiltshire.
Oliver’s mum Hannah said, “Oliver is proud to be a young carer and he was delighted to receive a young carers achievement award. I am grateful for the help and support offered to my children through Youth Action Wiltshire. It makes a real difference to them and I have seen their confidence grow.
“Oliver decided he wanted to raise money for the people that help him and I am so proud of what he has been able to achieve through his fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who has donated to Oliver’s fundraiser so far!”
Due to an unexpected reduction in funding, Community First is urgently fundraising to support the continued delivery of services for young carers through Youth Action Wiltshire. The charity worked with 569 young carers like Oliver and Katie between 2022-2023 and received 165 new referrals. A total of 2,517 respite places were provided, including activities such as music and arts, water sports, cooking, archery and animal care. 167 young carers were also helped to produce a personalised support plan.
For more information about Youth Action Wiltshire and how you can get involved by supporting young carers, young people facing challenges in their lives and young victims of crime, please visit the Community First website: www.communityfirst.org.uk/yaw or email email hidden; JavaScript is required.
You can support Oliver’s fundraiser at https://www.justgiving.com/page/hannah-buckland-1681939260135