Young carers flying high
Eight young carers were given a free ride at the award-winning Virtual Jet Centre to give them a boost and at the same time give them a break from their responsibilities at home.
The young adults have all been taking time out of their own lives to care for others.
Staff at the state-of-the-art Virtual Jet Centre showed them how to land aircraft, talked them through cabin safety and gave them a chance to land their own 737 in the flight simulator.
Only two of the children in the group, who are all from the Torbay area, had ever been in a real aeroplane.
Captain Andy Wilkins, founder of the Virtual Jet Centre near Chudleigh, said: “We do this to give back to the community. I had a fantastic career and so to be able to do something like this for people with less opportunity and to give them the opportunity to fly in something like a flight simulator is really important.
“These kids give their life to others, fitting in the little bit of life that they do have around caring for others. This will probably mean that none of them will ever even imagine doing a job such as being an airline pilot so at least we can make their dreams come true for the day.”
17 year old Ciaran Brotheridge who has cared for his mum and dad for 10 years, had never flown. “It is quite nice because I get away from everything and the stress of normal life, and it is nice to be around people who know what I am going through.
“It’s been fun: 10 out of 10 - I would do it again.”
Lisa Warner, who has been looking after her Dad since she was six years old, said: “I came away knowing that that I can get away from worrying about him the whole time.” The twenty three year old had never been in a plane before. “I didn’t realise how small the seats were,” she said.
The day was part of a series of free days for young carers hosted by the Virtual Jet Centre. The next one will be in National Carers’ Week in June.
David Baker, Young Adult Carer Development Worker from Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “Most of them don’t get an opportunity to try something new which is really important. It takes that care away, it takes the worry and the stress of their daily routine away, giving them an opportunity to expand their knowledge and make new friends. It is so nice to give them time, that’s all they need, they may well not just be looking after the person they care for, but siblings too.”
The Virtual Jet Centre is situated just off the A38 at Chudleigh. For more information visit www.virtualjetcentre.co.uk
