Caithness young carers get support during lockdown
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Staff at Caithness Klics have been going "above and beyond" to make sure local young carers are getting the support they need during the coronavirus crisis.
The team, who help children living in caring situations, have been working around the clock to provide regular contact and activities for members.
Wick mum Shelley Thain, whose son Connor benefits from the service, said: "They have been working extremely hard and going above and beyond for all the young carers in the county with everything they have been continuing to do.
"They are supporting over 100 young carers in Caithness aged between five and 18 with their frontline work and have been giving the kids their absolute all – working pretty much 24/7, taking calls at all hours.
"They are doing it straight from the heart and not looking for any praise. I just feel they have been doing some amazing work and they need to be recognised in some way."
Throughout the lockdown the staff have been keeping in contact with members through Zoom calls and have been organising activities such as scavenger hunts, "guess the riddle" competitions and quizzes.
Shelley (27), a support worker for people with learning difficulties, said: "They have been doing daily check-ins with all the young carers and their families."
Using social distancing measures they have been able to carry out garden visits and have been donning fancy dress as they drive around Caithness.
"They have dressed up to have a quick chat and a quick wave just to put a smile on all of the kids' faces during this hard time," the mum said. "Dressing up as dogs, monkeys or elephants when delivering boxes adds a little extra excitement.
"At Easter a bunny went around Caithness and delivered a whole lot of eggs."
Personalised activity packs have been sent out, with some including handmade ornaments and games. Sunflower seeds were popped in parcels so that the children could put on a display at the Klics centre in Wick once it is reopened.
Any of the young carers having birthdays during the lockdown have been getting a surprise visit from one of the team in fancy dress along with a small gift to try and make a difference to their day.
Families struggling to get food supplies, particularly those with children that have specific dietary needs, have been given a much-needed helping hand.
Cards providing details about the service have also been made up for the young carers to carry with them while doing the food shopping in case anyone questions why they are out.
Caithness Klics project manager Wendy Thain said: "We have been flat out since lockdown. It feels like we have never stopped – a lot of teenagers have been reaching out to us."
She pointed out that it was a particularly difficult time for some teenagers as they were already trying to cope with the pressures of exams and social media while also caring for someone.
"I feel they are reaching out to us as a safety blanket," she said. "Coming to us was a way of getting away from things, but now they are stuck at home not getting a break.
"We are doing a few garden visits for SOS calls when the kids are really low – it just perks them up."
Commenting on the supply of food packs, Wendy said: "A couple of our families are gluten-free and it was quite a nightmare to try and get hold of some of the items, especially when people were buying like crazy."
Wendy explained that the group's major funding was being pushed out at the moment and they had needed to furlough staff. This means that as of last week the team of eight is now down to just two.
She said: "It's just me and my senior fieldworker Denise MacLeod, who is working around the clock with me."
To help cope with the extra work, Wendy said they would be keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering. However, they would need to have a background in working with vulnerable children.
She will also be looking for additional funding.
The group, which was set up in March 2013, had special plans for its seventh birthday celebrations and had hoped to stage an open day during the Easter holidays at its base in the former South school in Wick's Roxburgh Road.
That had to be postponed due the lockdown, but behind the scenes the team members have been busy brightening up the outdoor area ready for the young carers when the weekly morning groups are able to start up again.
The group also usually operates a clothing bank and is always on the lookout for donations.
