Young adult carers can enjoy a fun trip or activity by taking part in an online survey about services across the borough.

Organisations working with younger carers want to know what they think of the support currently available and how it can be improved.

Up to 50 young people who complete the survey will receive vouchers for a trip or activity of their choice.

Carers aged between 13 and 25 can take part in the survey at http://youngcarers.posterous.com/young-carers-13-25-survey The voucher scheme has been funded thanks to a grant of £1,500 from the Dudley Public Health Small Grant Fund.

The young adult carers project aims to look at the ways in which services can support carers aged between 18 and 25. Views are also being encouraged from carers aged from 13 to support them as they make the important transition from child carers to adult carers.

The project has been set up by a number of organisations including Dudley Council, Action for Children, Dudley Young Carers project, Dudley CVS, The What? Centre, Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Trust, Barnardo's Time for Me Project and Dudley Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The survey responses will be fed back to the partnership which is working to see how well current support meets the needs of carers of this age group and the people they care for and then identify gaps in this support.

The results will also feed into work with young carers to see how they think this support needs to be developed and who needs to do this. It will also form evidence to support future targeted funding bids.

Councillor David Vickers, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “I hope the chance to enjoy a trip or activity will encourage our young adult carers to take part in this survey.

“It is very important that we get the full picture of what it is like to be a young carer so can ensure their needs are being met both now and in the future.”

The survey is available in an easy read version and hard copies of the survey are also available. Contact Christine Rowley, Dudley Council’s carers' co-ordinator, on 01384 818723.