Join us Saturday 25th April 2026 From 6 p.m.
St Albans Rotary Charity Swimathon 2026
Can you swim a length? Join us for our annual fun, family-friendly charity evening at Westminster Lodge Pool, St Albans. Swimathon has already raised over £42,000 for local charities – why not take the plunge and help us raise some more!
In 2026 we are raising money for the Young Carers supported by the Carers in Herts charity.
- Free to enter
- All ages and abilities welcome
- Enter as an individual or as a team
- Each swimmer must collect sponsorship from friends and families for our charity.
Carers in Hertfordshire Young Carers Division
Why Young Carers? The need to support young people acting as family carers, some as young as seven or eight, has grown exponentially. They help and support a family member who has an illness, disability or addiction. Many in St. Albans!
Carers in Herts, a thirty year old charity, recognised this need some time ago. They set up a separate division with a variety of programmes to help and support these young people,
Carers in Herts, listens to every Young Carer and their family’s concerns. They work with them so that the Young Carer can be better supported in their caring role.
This could involve:
- A chance to meet other Young Carers
- Activities with other Young Carers who have similar experiences.
- Give the Young Carer the same opportunities as other young people
- Activities which give you a break from caring, including ‘Make a Difference Breaks’
- Youth Carers Council – ensuring the Young Carer’s voice is heard
Hertfordshire County Council provides funding each year to Carers in Hertfordshire to work with all carers on their behalf. Herts County Council has provided the funding for each new family identified to be visited and their needs assessed. However, as a charity, Carers in Herts is always fund raising to support their objectives. Council funding is never enough.
Carers in Herts has a separate division for Young Carers. Funds raised specifically for Young Carers are held in the restricted area of their accounts.
Why does the Young Carers division need more help?
Unfortunately, from April 2026, the dedicated funding, currently provided by Hertfordshire County Council will stop. It’s part of the Government’s plans to have Family Hubs focused on whole-family support and early help.
So, the Young Carers division within Carers in Herts – will no longer be guaranteed specific funding. It will need more financial support from the local community. Carers in Hertfordshire are concerned that fewer young carers will be identified and that the level of specialised support they receive may well be impacted.
Donna Barton, Fundraising Manager commented
“This decision will make it much harder for us to provide all the support that Young Carers tell us makes a real difference. We are determined to continue to support Young Carers, especially providing space for them to breathe and supporting our Young Carers Council who are the voice of our Young Carers within our community.
Please support the Rotary Swimathon. We need your help. Thank you.”