A SOUTH Lakes charity that supports unpaid carers from as young as five has been awarded almost £90,000 in funding.

South Lakeland Carers has received £74,267 towards a two year project to help young and young adult carers develop their life skills.

Working with Furness Carers and West Cumbria Carers, the money from the Walney Extension Fund will go towards employing three part-time development workers.

Janice Benson, fundraising officer for South Lakeland Carers, said that the award was 'fantastic' news for the organisation and for carers aged 16-25 in Cumbria.

"We'll be working with young and young adult carers and most of that time will be spent developing life skills," she said. "So things like healthy eating, cookery, money management, lots of different workshops to help them."

Janice said that over the past few years the charity has seen an increase in the number of young carers in the area.

"Traditionally young carers are hidden so a big part of our work is going out there and explaining there are young carers and what they do," she said. "I think our team have done a very good job of raising awareness within schools of young carers and issues they face, so we do get a lot of referrals."

The charity has also been awarded £14,700 from the Frieda Scott Trust to continue its work supporting the carers of people with dementia.

"We have 275 carers on our books who are caring for someone with dementia," Janice explained. "Carers want somebody to be with them on the journey."

According to Cumbria County Council, the number of people living with dementia in South Lakeland is expected to rise from 7,000 in 2010 to nearly 13,000 in 2030.

"The number of people with dementia is growing and will continue to grow," Janice said. "That's a big issue for South Lakeland because we have the oldest population."