Thousands of young unpaid carers are being given the opportunity to take part in a summer of fun activities.

Carer Support organisations are providing the activities for the approximately 8,000 children and youngsters across Cumbria who provide care and support for family members.

Dr Dani Leslie, CEO of Carer Support Carlisle and Eden, said: "If you are looking after someone, you are a carer.

"And just in the Carlisle and Eden area there are about 600 children and young people, some as young as five years old, caring for someone.

"If you're a Young Carer, we can help make life a bit easier for you and the person you care for.

"If you help someone in ways that an adult would usually do, for example staying in the house a lot to be there for them, helping them to get up, get washed or dressed, or helping with using the loo or doing lots of the household chores like shopping, cleaning, and cooking, you are a Young Carer.

"You are a Young Carer if you are looking after younger brothers and sisters or providing emotional support or a shoulder to cry on.

Cumbrian Young Carers trying their hand at archery on a Carer Support school holiday eventCumbrian Young Carers trying their hand at archery on a Carer Support school holiday event (Image: Supplied)

"Across Cumbria there are local unpaid Carer Support charities you can contact.

"We can help get the support available, provide unpaid carers with a break with our clubs, trips, and social activities, and we are here to listen.

"During school holidays, especially the long summer break, Young Carers can feel isolated.

"Carer Support Cumbria brings together unpaid carer charities across the county, and in each area we are running activities throughout the holidays for Young Carers.

"Being a young person is challenging enough and having a caring responsibility adds to those challenges.

"So we can help Young Carers to have a break, we organise days away during the school holidays where they can be with friends and have fun doing something new.

"Once a Young Carer has got in touch with their local Carer Support organisation, they’ll be able to come to the clubs we run especially for Young Carers."

Carer Support Carlisle and Eden, Carer Support South Lakes, Carer Support West Cumbria, and Carer Support Furness all have events for Young Carers this summer, and can be contacted through the Carer Support Cumbria website.