Increase in funding for charity supporting young carers in Skye

A charity aiding young carers in the western Highlands has been awarded a 70,000 grant to advance plans for a permanent facility for its services.

Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers currently supports around 70 children and teenagers at a rented cottage in Portree, providing them with respite from their caregiving duties. However, the existing space does not fully accommodate the charity's needs.

The Scottish governments island project funding will be used to develop plans for a new building designed to feel like a spacious family home.

The service caters to children aged five to 18, who attend weekly sessions after school. There, they enjoy meals, social time with peers, and learn practical life skills such as cooking.

Gill Adams, chair of the charitys board of trustees, highlighted the heavy responsibilities these young carers face. "They often look after a parent, grandparent, or sibling due to illness, disability, or sometimes issues with substance abuse," she explained. "These children have to mature quickly, which isnt ideal for their personal development or recreation."

Ms. Adams added that the current cottage gives young carers a sense of having a life outside their caregiving roles, but it is becoming too small. "The children have expressed a desire for a welcoming, home-like space rather than a conventional centre," she said. "Currently, our small kitchen limits our ability to teach cooking or nutritional skills properly. The new building will feature a large dining kitchen as the heart of the home."

The Highland Council has previously supported the charity through community regeneration funding. Councillor John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council's education committee, welcomed the new grant. He emphasized that it will provide vital assistance to young carers who often shoulder significant responsibilities quietly and without recognition.

Author's Commentary: Expanding Support for Young Carers in the Highlands

The £70,000 grant awarded to Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers marks a crucial step toward establishing a permanent, purpose-built facility for young carers in the western Highlands. Currently, the charity operates from a rented cottage in Portree, which, while functional, no longer meets the needs of its 70 children and teenagers.

These young carers carry responsibilities that far exceed those of their peers, often looking after family members with illness, disability, or substance abuse issues. The current cottage provides a temporary respite, but its limited space restricts activities such as cooking lessons, which are essential for teaching practical life skills.

The Scottish government’s funding will allow the charity to plan a new building designed as a home-like environment, supporting both social interaction and personal development. This aligns with feedback from the children themselves, who have requested a welcoming, family-style space rather than a conventional centre.

Support from Highland Council and community regeneration programs has laid the groundwork for this development, highlighting the growing recognition of the challenges faced by young carers. The new facility promises not only to expand capacity but also to enhance the quality of care, offering a structured yet nurturing environment that meets the emotional and practical needs of these children.

Sources:

• Funding boost for Skye young carers charity