Neil Worsley spends his days and evenings working with young carers from all walks of life throughout Hyndburn.

The 35-year-old who works for Carers Link in King Street, Accrington, talks about the fulfilling role and how he aims to highlight the often forgotten role played by children caring for their relatives.

Q. WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP?

A. I'm up at 7am but don't have to be in the office until about 9.30am.

Q. WHAT'S YOUR DAILY ROUTINE?

A. I'm the carers project co-ordinator so we provide support and advice to young carers. There isn't a set routine but I attend meetings, organise activities and events for the team I have here, Carole Moulton who is the activities and support worker and Faye Atherton, the young carers development worker. We discuss what activities we are going to plan and supervise the staff in making sure they are ok. We have to look at risk assessments and are also in the process of setting up a group of volunteers to help us provide the service such as attending group meetings that we organise and helping to provide respite fun activities for the young carers. I also have to do the usual tasks such as answering post and emails.

Q. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE ROLE?

A. It's the mixture of going out and raising awareness in schools so teachers are aware of signs to look out for and meeting with mental health teams and other agencies which is quite serious and is rather daunting having to make presentations to them.

It’s also the fun element of organising activities for the young carers to help take their minds off their daily lives and give them respite. If it's say half term we have a number of activities planned from go-karting to horse riding and ice skating. One of our young carers, 13-year-old Edward Briggs from Oswaldtwsitle is going to appear on the TV show Inside Out, which will highlight how Edward helps his mother Hazel look after his younger brother Thomas, 11, who suffers from severe autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He was filmed on a night out bowling at Accrington Superbowl for the documentary. This is a regular event organised by the project.

Q. WHAT'S THE STRANGEST/FUNNIEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU?

A. We went on an outing for the day on a canoeing day. I some how managed to sink the canoe. The kids thought it was really funny and were taking the mickey out of me saying it was down to all the McDonalds that I'd been eating. I had to abandon the canoe and got very wet that day. Looking back on it that was quite funny.

Q. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?

A. For me it has been building up a relationship with the young carers. The children have a huge amount of pressure to deal with at such a young age. Often they are only 10 and 11 but act more like adults. When I first took on the role in May last year I was surprised really how quickly the children learnt to trust me. You become friends with the children as well. They all have your mobile telephone number so if they ever need any support or just need someone to talk to they can reach you.

Q. WHAT'S BEEN THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN?

A. I'd like to say never eat yellow snow but on a serious note I'd say listen to all advice but don't use any of it unless it's useful to you. Everyone is always giving advice but it's not always useful. We try and help and offer support rather than advise the young carers.