YOUNG carers have written heartfelt diaries expressing how the coronavirus lockdown has affected them.

Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service Children and Families is supporting families in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale during the Covid-19 crisis.

Young carers have been encouraged to record their lockdown experiences in journals, vlogs and blogs.

Jennifer Morris, age 9, said: “While being at home I’ve been helping my mum and trying to be nice with each other, but sometimes it’s very hard as it’s just me and her.

“We both worry sometimes and take it out on each other.

“I try my hardest to be good and control my worry, but I get lonely.”

Ten-year-old Dainton converted an old shoe box into a kind words box and left it on his wall for people to pick one out.

Many words have been taken and Dainton and his mum, Rachael, have heard some people giggling and saying thanks. He has even been left money, which he is now saving up.

Dainton said: “Kindness means being nice to others, sharing with friends and other people.”

One young carer who was struggling with isolation was given a new phone so he could stay in contact with friends.

One-to-one support for foster carers and looked after children has been delivered remotely since the lockdown began. BPRCVS distributed educational packs to help learning and relieve boredom.

Parents told about feeling stressed and anxious about home-schooling and the pressure of having to provide their child’s education.

There have been significant increases in anxiety, depression, lack of motivation and a general feeling of low mood amongst young people, and parents and carers.

This also includes an increase of parents having suicidal thoughts.

BPRCVS Children and Families supports Syrian refugee families relocated to Burnley and Pendle through the Lancashire County Council Refugee Resettlement Programme. Usually families attend ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes in classroom settings however Zoom and WhatsApp classes have taken place instead.

The ESOL project remained in contact with the families and encouraged them to create regular routines, exercise and participate in arts and crafts with their children.

Intesar Arnous helped her children set up Cups of Kindness.

She said: “Be the source of hope and inspiration for others, let your children participate in this work to learn from childhood by being inspired and influential in their community.”