CERAMICS 318, based at Farnham Pottery in Wrecclesham, has been awarded £3,000 to provide respite for young people caring for ailing family members.

The funding was secured from the Surrey Community Fund to provide creative respite for carers aged under 18 supported by Surrey Young Carers.

It is the first venture of its kind for both 318 Ceramics, which will provide a welcoming workshop space, and for the young carers who take on responsibilities beyond their years.

The first session was hailed as a “huge success”, offering 15 carers the chance to experience hands on clay-based activities.

Aided by a group of tutors and support workers, the children spent an evening making mugs, throwing a pot on a wheel, draping soft clay over their hands to make sea creatures and smoke firing.

Charlotte Garlick, of Ceramics 318, said afterwards that all the children wanted to stay longer and one boy even said he would like to work at the pottery one day.

She added: “Everyone had a great time and some much needed respite from the worries of their everyday lives was had by the children. The work they did is just lovely and currently on show at the pottery.”

It is hoped up to 100 young carers will benefit from creative respite through the project.

A young carer is defined as a child or young person under the age of 18 who provides regular and on-going care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances.

Lorna D’Arcy, Surrey Young Carers events co-ordinator, said: “By providing young carers with the opportunity to try something new and give them give them a creative outlet it may spark in the a talent or enjoyment that we can look to support in the future.”

Surrey Young Carers offers free impartial information and support to any carer under the age of 18 and their families on minimising the impact of their caring role. It also provides workshops, forums, activities and groups.

Managed by Action for Carers Surrey (ACS), an independent charitable organisation led by carers, the group seeks to give young carers timeout from their caring role and helps them to achieve their full potential.

For more information about Surrey Young Carers, visit the website www.surrey-youngcarers.org.uk, call 01483 568269 or email [email protected].

Ceramics 318 offers a community arts space where locals can enjoy courses in pottery, sculpture and jewellery making. For more information visit the website www.318ceramics.co.uk.