THE staff and volunteers at Unite - Carers in Mid Devon have been busy supporting the "Kids Who Care" project.

Last year 126 children, between the ages of five and 17, took part in activities during Tuesday evening club nights or on weekend outings.

All these young carers carry an extraordinary amount of responsibility for a member of their family who needs ongoing support.

These young people enjoy the opportunities offered by KWC activities to get out and have fun, make friends and let off a "bit of steam".

In December, for example, their Christmas party was attended by 56 young carers and supported by 15 volunteers.

Everyone enjoyed a magic show, balloon making, face painting, and a "really wild show" with live creatures such as spiders and lizards.

The traditional Christmas lunch was skipped and they tucked into hot-dogs, pizza and ice-cream!

Since then they have had a dance social and a climbing trip as well as many club nights with varying activities from cooking, craft, football and basketball.

This year is shaping up to be busier than ever!

Some great activities are in the diary for the coming months including a forest school trip to Escot Country Park, a trip to the beach and a sporting day!

Unite has recently taken on a new member of staff to recruit, train and support volunteers, it is the volunteers who are the life blood of what Unite can offer the young carers and more volunteers are sought in Crediton especially, as well as in Tiverton and Cullompton.

The next three club nights to be held in Crediton will be held at the Congregational Church on May 10, June 14 and July 12, between 6pm and 8pm. The club nights are growing rapidly with children from across the area including Bow, Copplestone, Crediton, Lapford, Morchard Bishop and Yeoford.

Unite - Carers are very keen to work with other local volunteers who would like to get involved occasionally in supporting young carers. If you are interested then please telephone 01884 257511 or email: [email protected] .