Crossroads Care hosted a festival for young carers thanks to a three-year fundraising project organised by Old Mutual International.

The festival took place at Union Mills FC’s ground, was open to Crossroads Care’s Young Carers as well as young carers on the charity’s referral list.

It featured activities provided by a government body, Manx Sport and Recreation, yoga from Jessie’s Yoga, a visit from the Hedgehog Lady of Peel, face painting, water games, dancing, chill out zone, smoothie bar, gaming tent, crafts, and evening entertainment from Matt Fletcher Entertainment and Events. Crossroads Care also arranged transport to and from the event.

Jackie Betteridge, Crossroads Care’s chief executive officer, said: ’Young carers are the silent army of our island and the festival was a great way to give them a huge, and richly deserved, boost.

’Over the years we have seen many young carers go on to have exciting careers and lives, but for many that is not the case because their full potential is limited by a lack of self-belief and role models, and many miss out on childhood experiences that most of us take for granted.

’It has been several years since we have been able to host a Young Carers’ Festival, and it’s thanks to Old Mutual International’s fantastic support for our Young Carers’ Project that we have been able to make this year’s event the biggest and best festival we have ever had.

’It forms an important part of our programme to help young carers make the most of their childhood, provide care for their loved ones who rely on them, and help them fulfil their potential as adults.’

Old Mutual International - which is the international arm of Quilter plc - is aiming to donate just over £60,000 to the charity by 2021, the sum being a combination of funds raised by staff and matched funding provided by The Quilter Foundation, a registered UK charity that aims to help young people overcome the barriers to prosperity.

Old Mutual International has already given £15,000 to Crossroads Care, and that sum is already funding a Young Carers’ Support Worker.

The Young Carers’ Project provides support to children and young people aged from five to 18 thanks to a team of dedicated project workers, and the new support worker will allow the project to help even more young carers.

Funds were also used to organise the Young Carers’ Festival - and other plans are in place to allow Crossroads Care to expand the scope of the Young Carers’ Project in 2020 and 2021.

Jackie added: "The festival was held over two days, but it’s been part of a busy week of work before and after the event, and we must thank volunteers from Crossroads Care, Old Mutual International and Barclays who contributed their time and energy to make this a memorable week for everyone who took part. We must also thank Cycle 360 for donating water bottles for all of the young carers.’