Terry Macrowan started up the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Young Carers (GYGYC) in 2011, but, after years of managing the service, she is retiring.

The organisation supports young carers and young adult carers, whose lives are affected by caring for a parent, sibling or other family member with disability or long-term illness.

It provides a wide range of help, including age-specific support groups, one-to-one mentoring, counselling and fun respite activities, designed to boost wellbeing and reduce isolation.

The service, based in Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre in Gorleston, has been taken over by Caring Together Charity.

The new bosses have pledged to keep operating it in the same way, providing stability and reassurance to those who rely on the service.

All frontline staff will transfer to Caring Together Charity and Ms Macrowan will also remain for a brief handover period to help ensure a smooth transition to Caring Together Charity.

She said: “It has been a privilege to support young carers in the borough of Great Yarmouth over the years and to see the strength and resilience they show every day.

"When I set up GYGYC, it was because I felt young carers need dedicated support to continue which would help them navigate the challenges of growing up alongside their caring responsibilities.

“As I move into retirement, I’m confident Caring Together Charity will carry this work forward as their values align closely with what I’ve built, and I’m reassured young carers will continue to get the high-quality support they deserve.”

Miriam Martin, Caring Together Charity chief executive, said: “We are proud to take on the provision of GYGYC and to build on the strong foundations already in place.

“Young carers take on huge responsibilities and it’s vital they have access to the right support.

“We are committed to maintaining the quality and consistency that define this service by working closely with staff, partners and the local community to ensure young carers continue to thrive."

© Eastern Daily Press