YOUNG carers looking after relatives at home went on a life-saving first aid course with support charity South and Vale.

About 20 eight- to 18 year-olds were at Abingdon Health and Wellbeing Centre in Crabtree Place earlier this month.

Although South and Vale’s young carers project, which supports 300 children and teens, has been going for more than 20 years, it has never offered first aid training before.

Emily Huckstep, of the Guideposts Trust, which went into partnership with South and Vale last February, said: “Most work is one-to-one emotional support, and we also provide respite trips for young carers to places like Thorpe Park.

“But we have wanted to introduce an educational and training layer to the project. Some carers didn’t feel confident should an emergency arise.”

After receiving £650 from Oxfordshire Community Foundation, which gives grants to local charities, South and Vale asked Oxford College of First Aid to deliver a bespoke programme.

Over two days in August, youngsters were given a crash course in emergency first aid including CPR, the recovery position, treating cuts and burns, and dealing with allergies and asthma attacks.

Ms Huckstep added: “It was fantastic, hands-on and informative. The youngsters were engaged and found it useful.

“A lot care for a family member – a grandparent with dementia, a sibling with autism or someone who is wheelchair-bound and needs help with chores and cooking. We hope to roll this out to benefit all young carers as they register.”

First aid instructor Emma Noakes said: “I’m so impressed with the young carers. They are all responsible, respectful and without a selfish bone in their body, but are still children and haven’t lost their childhood.”

Banita, 11, said: “I look after someone with a bad back and arthritis. I help them walk and stop them falling over and with leaning and chores. I learnt the recovery position as they may fall, so now I know what to do.”

Leon, 12, added: “Someone I know has autism. Now, if he were to fall or have an accident, I would know how to help him.”

The charity has yet to confirm when the next session will be.