A THEATRICAL organisation and a charity are teaming up to help young carers in Oldham play roles on the stage with a crowdfunding appeal set up to make it possible.

Wild Things Performing Arts CIC has joined forces with Positive Steps to deliver a new youth theatre for young carers in the borough.

The youth theatre will provide acting, singing and dance lessons as well as giving young participants the opportunity to perform in community shows, parades and carnivals.

Youth worker on Positive Steps' young carers team, Julie Brewis, said: “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.

"I think it’s something they’ll have a lot of fun with, just being with others really and expressing themselves.

"I think it would be really good for them."

There are more than 150 children from the age of eight who are identified as young carers in Oldham.

And there may be hundreds more unidentified children caring for a parent, sibling or another family member.

Wild Things has been offering community performing arts tuition for more than 10 years in the borough and want to offer these young people a space to be creative, have fun and spend some time away from their adult responsibilities.

A crowdfunding appeal has been set up to raise funds to make the youth theatre possible with many "fantastic rewards" on offer for those who donate, including one-on-one singing lessons with West End musical director, Michael Riley and pantomime tickets at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

The appeal aims to raise £15,000 in the next four weeks.

For more information visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/youth-theatre-for-young-carers-in-oldham.