YOUNG adult carers are in a danger of “falling between the gaps” during a reshuffle of services across the county, a charity has warned.

Until April Essex County Council will fund charity Action for Family Carers’ to deliver an all-age carer support service, including a dedicated service for users aged between 16 and 24.

This funding will then be axed. Oliver Downs, 16, cares for his brother Luke, ten, who has epilepsy, is autistic, has other learning difficulties and needs help to do things like get dressed and go to school.

He said: “The service is really important to me – it gives carers like me a life again.

“It is hard to speak to people about things and some of my friends do not understand.

“Being a carer puts a lot of stress on me but the charity has brought my confidence up and I have people to talk to if I need to.”

Mr Downs, of Deanery Gardens, Braintree, attends monthly “chill and chat” days run by Action for Family Carers where he can meet people in a similar situation to him.

An advice line is also open for service users and staff from Action for Family Carers complete home visits.

Mr Downs, who works as an apprentice chef at The Green Dragon, Black Notley, said: “When I heard I was upset and angry. I have made a lot of friends from the service who I can rely on. I would lose contact with a lot of them without it.”

James Clarke, the chief executive of Action for Family Carers expressed concerns over the decision to move services in house by Essex County Council.

James Clarke said: “It potentially risks young adult carers – a hard to reach and vulnerable group - falling between the gaps with neither service focused on addressing their particular needs.

“Action for Family Carers will continue to provide support for carers of all ages from April 2018 based on what carers tell us they want and need.

“It will be more reliant upon grants, fundraising and donations to do this and we are grateful for any and all support that local residents may be able to give – including through volunteering.

“Our focus remains on achieving positive outcomes for all unpaid carers in Essex and we will continue to do all that we can to ensure that carers’ voices are heard and that they have access to high quality support.”

The loss of Essex County Council support will have a big impact on the charity although it has been boosted after receiving £35,509 from the Braintree District and Greenfields Community Fund to employ someone to work with schools and help identify and support young carers.

Ray Gooding, councillor responsible for education, said: “We recognise the burden faced by unpaid carers in Essex and are committed to ensuring they receive the help and support they need. The funding received by Action for Family Carers to support young adult carers from 16 to 24 years old ends on 31 March 2018. This is as a result of a wider adult carer contract being won by another provider following a robust and competitive tender process.

“From April 2018, young adult carers will be able to access our new key worker young carers service, which will provide a more joined-up approach with adult social care.”

A fundraising page has been set up for the service at gofundme.com/save-affc.