Over 150 children, from as young as 8, are identified as young carers in Oldham.
Performing arts company, Wild Things, hope to deliver a new youth theatre for these children. They’re partnering charity, Positive Steps, to teach acting, singing and dance.
Youth Worker on the Positive Steps Young Carers team, Julie Brewis, added: “Because of their caring responsibilities, young carers are sometimes not as confident. It can have a big impact on them socially.
“I think Wild Things will help them to be more confident, encourage them to be more open and build self-esteem.”
Wild Things have provided community performing arts tuition for over 10 years in the borough. They’re committed to creating a space for young carers to have fun and spend some time away from their adult responsibilities.
With just under 4 weeks left to raise money for the Youth Theatre, every penny counts.
Oldham town centre is dead.
At least, that’s what comments online seem to say. Scroll down under any story or Facebook post regarding what was once the borough’s thriving centrepoint, and you’ll quickly stumble upon a disgruntled resident claiming the town is ‘beyond saving’ or that they’ve ‘not been there for years’.
During the day, the Empire Suite in Oldham looks unassuming. Overshadowed by a busy mechanics garage on the industrial end of a street of terraced houses, the wedding venue sits back from the road, shutters down, quiet.