A CHARITY which supports young carers looking after loved ones has won a regional award.


Gloucestershire Young Carers (GYH) was one of six groups in the South West to win an award in Lloyds Bank's Foundation Charity Achievement Awards.


It received £1,000 and will now compete against charities from across England, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, with six overall winners to be announced at the UK Final awards ceremony on October 8.


GYH, which specialises in supporting young people caring for a family member, won the Enterprising Collaboration Award for its work with 2gether NHS Foundation Trust.


The charity joined forces with the trust to respond to a need for a service for young people whose family members have mental health issues.


The judges were really impressed with the way they worked with the NHS to tailor services to young people and to help them support their family members without feeling daunted or alone.


One young carer described the support as “life changing”, adding: “It helped me to understand my mum's condition and how to help her through it.”


One of her parents said: “It has helped the children to find their voice.”