A pilot project aimed at helping young carers aged eight-14 gain a clearer understanding of the fundamentals of play has proved a huge success with children and young people from Action for Children’s Pembrokeshire Young Carers service.

A project evaluation report found that nearly 80 per cent knew more about play and its benefits as a result of the session and 100 per cent wanted more sessions on the subject, with more than 50 per cent saying they were now more likely to go out and play with friends or family.

The project was co-ordinated at Pembroke Dock Youth Centre by Action for Children, Pembrokeshire County Council’s play sufficiency officer, Damion Golding and Groundwork Wales’ Sustainable Play Team with the aim of helping the young carers appreciate the value of play and how it can benefit their own, as well as their siblings’, physical and mental health, well-being and social and emotional development, thereby increasing their quality of life.

The activities comprised of hula hoop making, den making, messy play - which included preparing their own ‘gloop’ and ‘play dough’ mix, preparing and cooking their own healthy pizza, fruit and soup and team games.

Charlotte Phillips, Action for Children’s service co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire Young Carers, said: “Young carers carry a burden of responsibility that cannot be overestimated in caring for their families. It’s vital that they don’t lose the ability to play and just be children.

“This project encouraged our young carers to appreciate that play can bring families closer together and strengthen parent-child lead young carer - sibling relationships. It also helped them increase their independent mobility which improves opportunities to explore the world around them. I’m thrilled our carers reacted so positively to the project and we shall explore how we can involve more of our young carers across Pembrokeshire in this important work.”