The idea of shaving off my hair, what feels like my most prominent and identifiably "Becca" feature, is both terrifying and exciting! 

But, do you know what is more terrifying than being bald - the statistics that we are seeing around the state of mental health and general wellbeing in so many young carers. 

A young carer is a child under the age of 18 who helps to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.

And - did you know, in Oxfordshire alone - there's an estimated 2 young carers in every classroom.

I was a young carer and I cannot tell you how hard - both emotionally and physically - it is. How isolated you can feel. How difficult it is to enjoy your childhood. And, how much guilt you then feel about disliking the life you live. 

With the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, young carers are really feeling the impact.  Luckily, there are charities out there working tirelessly to support young carers when they need it the most, and Be Free Young Carers is one of them.

The money you donate towards my big ol' shave will help Be Free Young Carers to continue to the work they do and expand into more areas within Oxfordshire. 

BFYC will use your money to provide:  
⭐ 121 emotional support for young carers through the use of professional Youth Workers
⭐  6-week counselling sessions for their most complex cases
⭐ Respite activities away from home, to provide young carers time to be a child
⭐ A preventative Mindfulness Movement programme delivered across Oxfordshires Primary schools
⭐ A bespoke befriending service, offering young carers weekly respite and access to a trusted adult to unload the concerns of their caring role.

Your money will make so much difference to the lives of so many children. And so, thank you - truly - from the bottom of our hearts, for your support.

Alongside your generous donations, I will also be donating my hair to Little Princes Trust with the help of the wonderful Loz Hawkins. So much good can and will come from this event and I thank you for being part of it!

Ps. I will be filming the event itself on Wednesday 15 March and sharing this on my LinkedIn and YouTube so you will be able to see this glorious moment unfolding in front of your eyes!

Stay tuned for more updates!

All the warmth in the world,
Rebecca Reed, Founder of Siendo