VOLUNTEERS are fearing that a children’s service which helps a large number of vulnerable young people could close.

A meeting at the council officers in Penallta took place where managers of the Barnardo’s children’s charity confirmed to support workers and volunteers that their current funding in the Caerphilly county borough is likely to not be renewed when it ends in March.

If cut, the charity will be the second in Caerphilly to see its support slashed by Caerphilly County Borough Council after Cancer Care Line in Blackwood was forced to close because of a funding impasse last year.

Kirsten Stone, a 20 year-old Barnardos peer mentor volunteer who was at the meeting on Thursday, said: “I have been with the charity since I needed support growing up and to know how much some people rely on the system that is in place, to think it might not be there is just devastating.

“At the meeting, the local managers said that there is currently nothing in place when the funding ends in March and the impact that could have just feel’s devastating. A lot of us volunteers have been talking about it together and are really worried.”

Fellow volunteer Sam Harrison added: “So many young people volunteer or support Barnardos, sometimes anonymously. It is worrying as unless you have been a young carer then you can only imagine it is to care for children sometimes as young as seven.”

The county borough’s youth care service, run by the charity through its centres in Caerphilly town, Blackwood, Bargoed and Risca with joint funding from the Welsh Government through Families First, has not had its contract renewed while the finance from the Welsh Government is set to be withdrawn.

Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, Sarah Crawley, said: “Caerphilly County Borough Council have contracted Barnardo’s Cymru to run the Caerphilly Young Carers service until the end of March.

“We have been informed that funding is being reduced and we are now waiting to see the council’s proposals for the future. The council has asked us to co-ordinate consultations with young carers so they can voice their views on the future of the service and we have agreed to do so. Barnardo’s Cymru will continue to support young carers throughout the consultation period.”

A Caerphilly council spokeswoman said: “Providing valuable support for young carers remains a key priority. Despite the current young carers’ contract seeing an overall reduction in its funding, our Children’s Services team have confirmed the same level of financial contribution to fund a service going forward.

“The council is using this review as an opportunity to determine what service would best meet the needs of young carers in Caerphilly and young carers will have the opportunity to hear and share their views about a newly proposed service through a consultation period.”