Kool Carers Southeast Receive £20,000 Grant to Expand its Services

A young carers charity, Kool Carers Southeast is to expand its counselling services after receiving a £20,000 grant from Essex-based healthcare social enterprise, Provide Community as part of its community grant-giving initiative.

Founded in 2017 by social and youth worked, Rachel Tungate, Kool Carers Southeast provides professional support and guidance for young carers aged 8-18 years old.

Operating in the Basildon Borough and Brentwood, the charity provides a safe and comfortable environment for young carers to develop social and life skills that help build resilience, enabling positive participation in their communities.

The grant will help fund the charity’s counselling service which includes family therapy, couples counselling, and one-to-one therapeutic intervention that is tailored to suit the needs of individuals. The charity’s fundamental aim is to equip young carers with the necessary tools and strategies to regulate and manage their own mental health until statutory intervention is put in place.

CEO of Kool Carers Southeast Limited, Rachel Tungate commented on receiving the grant: “Since the pandemic, Kool Carers has experienced a 161% increase in its request for support. The grant we have received from Provide Community has proven a critical lifeline for so many of our families requiring therapeutic intervention.

“In addition, Kool Carers is looking to be able to facilitate a tailored version of its Being Kind to your Body and Mind 7-week workshop to young carers, following the success of the pilot programme delivered to young carers’ parents and carers.”

Nicola Yarnall, Chair of the Council of Governors at Provide said; “As an employee-owned company that reinvests to the community, it’s great to see the money being used to make a positive impact on children’s lives.”

“This money will enable the charity to continue providing its counselling service to children, parents and families in need of therapeutic intervention.”