Thirteen-year-old Celyn Lloyd-Taylor from Cwmbran recently swapped his usual caring duties for a day of adventure in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, taking part in gorge walking with other young carers.

Celyn helps his mum care for his five-year-old sister, Mali, who has Goldenhar syndrome, a rare condition affecting her face, ears, and spine. Mali needs constant supervision due to difficulties with hearing, mobility, and swallowing, meaning Celyn has taken on responsibilities far beyond those of most teenagers, including preparing meals, doing laundry, and helping around the house.

The gorge walking trip, organised by The Outdoor Partnership, allowed Celyn and other young carers to jump, slide, and climb along a river near Talybont-on-Usk, under the guidance of qualified instructors. For Celyn, it was a much-needed chance to enjoy time outdoors and take a break from daily pressures.

“Activities like this gorge walking visit have been lifesavers for me. Just a chance to get outdoors, try something new and have a change of scene,” he said.

“I love being Mali’s big brother and am happy to help Mum with caring and household responsibilities. But it’s great to have a day every so often to do something just for me with other young carers who understand.”

The visit was part of the Welsh Government’s National Short Breaks Scheme, which has recently been extended for another three years. The programme provides personalised breaks to unpaid carers of all ages, many of whom provide more than 50 hours of care a week and rarely have time for themselves.

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said: “We are committed to recognising and supporting unpaid carers like Celyn for the invaluable contribution they make to our society. When your daily life revolves around caring and helping others, it is vitally important to look after your own wellbeing too.”