Staff at leading international corporate service provider SMP Partners have chosen Crossroads Care Young Carers Project as the company’s ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2016.

Crossroads Care, which has been providing respite care and support for carers in the Isle of Man for almost three decades, established the Young Carers Project to recognise the high number of young people on the Island involved in looking after a family member, and the negative impact that can have on their education and childhood.

SMP Partners staff voted for the proceeds of all charitable fundraising in 2016 to go towards supporting the project’s work. The first donation has already been made with the presentation of a cheque for ?7,450, which was raised during SMP Partners’ annual staff party.

The Star Wars-themed party, held at the Palace Hotel in Douglas last month, was attended by over 200 SMP Partners staff and partners and included an auction and raffle in support of Crossroads Care Young Carers. Staff will continue fundraising throughout the rest of the year with events such as dress down days and sponsored activities.

It is estimated there are more than 1,000 people in the Isle of Man aged between as young as five up to 24 years of age who are caring for a family member who suffers from physical or mental disabilities, substance misuse or mental health problems. A Young Carer can be responsible for household tasks like cooking and cleaning, looking after siblings or even administering medicine to a parent.

Many young carers frequently miss school, damaging their future prospects, and feel isolated as they are unable to mix with people of their own age.

Crossroads Care is actively working with more than 100 young people living in these circumstances and established the Young Carers Project to try and reach more. It is a free, friendly and professional service which gives support, including giving young carers a break from their care responsibilities, introducing them to others in similar situations so they know they are not alone and ensuring they are able to enjoy the activities and events that should be part of a normal childhood.

Mark Denton, Managing Director of SMP Partners, said: ‘We all consider the Isle of Man to be an affluent community, and it is shocking to learn that hundreds of young people are required to miss out on their childhood to care for a family member. It is deeply distressing to hear about children as young as five being responsible for household chores and even giving medicine.

‘Every year our staff vote for a charity to support, and the aims of the Crossroads Care Young Carers Project really struck a chord with us. The SMP Partners ethos is to create the environment and opportunities to enable everyone to be the best that they can be, and that is reflected right across all of our teams.

‘This charity is focused on identifying young people in care-giving situations and providing the support they need to stay healthy and safe, enjoy life and prosper. The charity wants to break down the feelings of helplessness and isolation, and give them the best chance possible to enjoy their childhood and secure a good future.

‘I hope we are able to help Crossroads Care achieve these aims for the future of these young people, and that we can assist with both fundraising and raising awareness.’

Julia Cullen, fundraising co-ordinator for Crossroads Care, added: ‘We are delighted that SMP Partners has selected our Young Carers Project to support in 2016. The project delivers direct support to many young people whose lives are dominated by caring for a relative, through providing emotional, educational and practical assistance.

‘This support includes regular meetings, so young carers realise they are not alone, activities, events and trips so they have the opportunity to enjoy their childhood in a “normal” way, respite opportunities and much more. Providing this assistance requires substantial investment, so to have the support of SMP Partners will make a huge difference to what we can achieve.’

She continued: ‘We are already working with more than 100 young carers, but we know there are many hundreds more out there in similar situations and having the profile of the project raised through partnerships like this one with SMP Partners, will help us make contact with many more people in need of support, and give them that help.’

SMP Partners wish to thank Ed Bunce from Ginger Events for organising the party which led to the first donation to the charity, as well as all the companies which donated raffle and auction prizes to help raise funds. Those companies included: Align for Life, Bridson & Horrox, Brightlife, Bushy’s Brewery, Cannon Hygiene Manx, Capital International, Carole Johnson, Descon, Edward Bryan Removals, Elegance Taxis, Eye Spy Security, F.C.X., Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Island Tyres, JAR Bar & Grill, Little Fish Cafe, Majestic Chinese Restaurant – Casino, Manx Business Solutions, Manx Telecom, Merrill Lynch, Nedbank, Newfield, Mode Seven Salon, Okells Brewery, Palace Hotel & Casino, Portofino Restaurant, Quay Dental, Robert Gordon, Speedy Parking, Sports Performance Ltd, Standard Bank, Sure, Synapse, Tandoor Restaurant, Tea Junction, The Abbey Restaurant, The Caff, The Regency Hotel, Thomas Miller Investment, Titley's Cleaners, Tynwald Inn St. Johns and Words & Spaces.

Photo - (from left to right) – Julia Cullen, PR and Fundraising Events Co-ordinator at Crossroads Carers, SMP Partners Managing Director Mark Denton and Tim Jones, Young Carers Project Leader at the charity.