YOUNG carers have been left devastated after learning their place of respite is being forced to close.

Crossroads Care, which runs young carers’ centres, wrote letters to families announcing the closure of the Braintree and Halstead centres on April 1.

Kai Hodkinson, who cares for his mum Tracey and dad John, was told there was not enough funding.

Government documents say the service is £60,000 short. Mrs Hodkinson, 53, of Bartram Avenue in Braintree, said: “Kai is the only one left in the house and he helps out quite a lot.

“The group was respite for him, he thoroughly enjoyed going and has made quite a lot of friends there.

“He can have a release for a few hours.”

Kai, 13, has attended the centre in Witham Road since he was eight years old.

The letter he received said: “The business has introduced cost cutting exercises over the last year and has applied for additional funding, however we have not been able to sustain the cost of the young carers clubs.”

Essex County Council Youth Service is planning to offer alternative support opportunities.

It is also exploring the possibility of setting up additional support in Braintree.

Kai does the housework, and looks after the two dogs, rabbits, ducks, chickens and pet snake.

Mrs Hodkinson worked in animal rescue for most of her life, but now both she and John, also 53, cannot work.

Mr Hodkinson has had open heart surgery and had two strokes, whilst Mrs Hodkinson has fibromyalgia and arthritis.

She said: “Kai has found it quite hard at times, we had a very hellish year last year.

“We were a very active family be- fore, but poor Kai did not have the same upbringing as the other kids.

“He has been the main carer, and I don’t like calling him my carer as he is my son.”

Kai attends Heybridge APS school, and visits the young carers centre af- ter school every Thursday.

The centre offers support for children who have to care for family members.

Mrs Hodkinson said: “He was very disappointed as it’s the only thing he’s got.

“He has got a lot out of it, it’s such a shame.

“I understand there’s not much money but it’s invaluable for them.”

Oliver Downs, 15, cares for his sis- ter Jasmine, 20, and brother Luke, nine.

His parents, Sonia and Darren, are also restricted in their movements.

Oliver, of Deanery Gardens in Braintree, attends the young carers club and was heartbroken when he heard the news.

He said: “I read the first four lines of the letter and burst into tears.

“It’s like having a break from your young carer role and I have made a lot of close friends there.”

His sister Jasmine has a form of dwarfism and learning difficulties, whilst his brother Luke has a range of conditions including epilepsy and autism.

Despite having epilepsy himself, Oliver, who goes to Tabor Academy, spends a chunk of his week caring for his siblings.

He said: “It’s hard to balance the time, I get really stressed out, but it’s a role that I love to do and I wouldn’t want it to be taken away from me.

“Ever since I joined the club it has put less stress on me.”

COUNCIL funding is not enough to save two respite centres, Crossroads Care bosses have said.

The service, which is due to close in Braintree and Halstead on April 1, was falling short of £60,000 at the end of last financial year, in March

2016.

This is according to the Charity Commission website, which says incoming funds have dropped significantly.

In 2015 the total amount of incoming funds was £264,997- last year this dropped to £217,311.

Adrian Johnston, business manager, said: “Crossroads Care is a non-profit charity and we have experienced two very challenging years financially.

“Essex County Council matched the funding from the previous year but it was nowhere near enough to run the service.

“It was a really difficult decision and was not one we came to lightly.

“Essex County Council is trying to find another provider as we speak.”

Other groups available are Action for Family Carers, and the Chelmsford YMCA.

A county council spokesman said: “We estimate there are about 10,000 young carers in Essex who provide care to a loved one every single day.

“Those young people provide invaluable support to their families, enabling a better quality of life for those needing their care.

“We are committed to identifying, recognising and supporting young

carers, and aim to ensure they are not disadvantaged and have the

same opportunities as their peers.”

The council is also in discussion with volunteers to support them.