After-school clubs
Weekly groups in market towns across the area, with transport arranged so caring duties do not stop a child coming.
Young carers · Shropshire and the Welsh Marches
Some children look after a parent before they leave for school.
The Kindlewood Trust gives young carers aged 8 to 18 time to be young: clubs, breaks, someone to talk to, and schools that understand what is happening at home.
Illustration
Why we exist
Caring is an act of love. It should not cost a childhood.
Young carers help look after a family member who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition or misuses drugs or alcohol. Many do it quietly, and many of their teachers and friends never know.
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities in England must assess young carers' needs when asked. We help families through that process, and we fill the gaps with the things statutory services rarely provide: fun, friendship and a break.
What one week can hold
- Getting a younger sibling up and dressed before school
- Collecting prescriptions and remembering medication times
- Cooking tea and keeping the house running
- Homework fitted in late, after everyone else is settled
Programmes
Four ways we show up.
Breaks and days out
Residential weekends and holiday trips, planned with families so the person being cared for is supported while their young carer is away.
One-to-one support
A trained project worker for young carers who need more help, including support with assessments, school and transitions to adult services.
Young carers in schools
Staff training and a simple framework that helps schools identify young carers and make small, practical adjustments.
Get involved
Every kind of help counts.
Give monthly
Regular gifts let us plan clubs and breaks a year ahead, rather than term by term.
Set up a regular giftGive once
A single donation, in memory of someone, or to celebrate a birthday or milestone.
Make a donationFundraise
Run, bake, cycle or climb. We will send a fundraising pack and cheer you on.
Start fundraisingVolunteer
Club helpers, drivers and mentors, all safely recruited with DBS checks and training.
Volunteer with usPartner with us
Employee fundraising, matched giving, skills volunteering and charity of the year partnerships.
Talk about partnershipsLeave a gift in your will
A legacy, of any size, helps young carers long into the future. We recommend speaking to a solicitor.
Request our guideIf you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid lets eligible charities claim back basic rate tax on your donation at no extra cost to you. On a live site, donations are processed by a regulated payment provider and the donation form explains this clearly.
Accountability
Open about how we work.
Annual report and accounts
Published each year and filed with the Charity Commission, showing where income comes from and how it is spent.
Safeguarding
A named safeguarding lead, safer recruitment for every staff member and volunteer, and our policy published in full.
Fundraising promise
We follow the Code of Fundraising Practice and never sell or swap supporters' data. Contact preferences can be changed at any time.
Demo notice: Registered charity no. 0000000 is a dummy number used for layout. The Kindlewood Trust is fictional and is not on the Register of Charities. A live site shows the charity's real number and links to its public Register entry.
Refer or get in touch
Know a young carer?
Young people can refer themselves. Parents, teachers, GPs and social workers can refer with the young person's agreement. Supporters can use the same form to ask about giving or volunteering.
Worried a child is in immediate danger? Call 999. For advice about a child's safety you can also contact the NSPCC helpline or your local children's services.