Around 8,000 young people across Cumbria are young carers – and the number of young people looking after family members is growing. In the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic (from April 2020), Carers Support Cumbria has identified 113 new Young Carer and completed new assessments for 153.
Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) on Tuesday (16 March) is an annual national event that aims to raise awareness of young carers and the incredible contribution they make to their families and local communities. This year’s theme is Protecting Young Carer’s Futures.
Children and Young People who help look after other family members are often called “Young Carers”. They may be someone who looks after a parent with an illness or disability, or a younger sibling.
A 15-year old Cumbrian schoolgirl has been helping to care for her mother since the age of five and explains how the support of her local Carers Organisation has helped her build a network of support. She explained: “I have been helping to look after my mum since she had a stroke 10 years ago.
“There is just me and my Dad at home caring for my mum. I get her medicines and help her get ready if we are going out. If Dad has to go out, I stay in to look after Mum. It means sometimes I can’t go out with my friends and I leave my homework to the last minute.
“I’ve explained to my friends at school the responsibilities I have, caring for my Mum, however it is difficult for them to understand.
“She can’t talk or walk properly since the stroke and I help her communicate with others, as well as help around the house. It can be very frustrating at times, when I have difficulty understanding what she is saying.”
The local Young Carers group provided support, with events and a Young Carers Support Worker checking in every two weeks with young carers.
She said: “Since being part of Young Carers I have been able to make friends with others who are in a similar situation to me, and who understand. Before I joined I didn’t realise there were other people like me, helping to look after their Mum. I felt alone.
“Through Young Carers I have friends who understand. Together we are very close, and it’s so nice to be able to talk to someone outside the family, and who understand fully my situation.
“Being part of Young Carers makes me feel appreciated and we learn so many things on our trips out.
“We went ice skating – something I thought I’d never be able to do because of the cost and getting there. I really enjoyed that day out. I also enjoyed a first aid session where we learnt about CPR and other medical things which was really interesting and useful.
“I’ve missed the trips out and events during lockdown, however, we have had on-line things to do which has been really helpful. Next month we have a Zoom call about anxiety.
“Being able to be in contact with my Young Carer friends over the past year has been good. It has been so lonely, and it can be very stressful in the house. It does help to have someone there to listen. To be able to talk to people and do something for yourself.
“I look forward to my calls with my support worker Mags, who checks in with me every two weeks. And I am looking forward to meeting up again in person with my Young Carer friends, as it gets me out of the house and socialising, and making new friends.”
Figures released by Carers UK show Carers save the economy £132 billion per year, an average of £19,336 per carer. In the UK, 5 million people, 1-in-7 of the workforce are juggling caring responsibilities with work. However, many Young Carers are struggling to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress, affecting their health, social life and self-confidence.
A recent Carers Trust survey revealed high levels of anxiety and stress among young carers. The survey found two thirds (67%) of young carers aged 12 to 17, and 78% of young adult carers aged 18 to 25 were experiencing increased concern for their futures since Coronavirus.
A survey showed, 39% said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role and 26% have been bullied at school because of their caring role. The survey also revealed 1 in 20 Young Carers miss school because of their caring role, however young people can learn lots of useful skills by being a young carer.
Until now, YCAD stood for Young Carers Awareness Day. But following feedback from young carers, the Carers Trust who organise the event have made some changes, including the name – Young Carers Action Day. Young Carers said they wanted the day to be about their futures, highlighting the incredible skills they have developed through being a carer
Through their unpaid caring roles, Young Carers can develop skills like resilience, time-management and empathy. These are all important skills, not just for young people moving into higher education – but also for those looking to enter the workplace. What’s more, they are skills highly sought after by employers.
Carers Support Cumbria’s Carers organisations across Cumbria provide support to Young Carers. Young Carers are referred to their local organisation who will arrange an initial brief home visit, so they can introduce themselves and explain about the service. They then arrange to meet the Young Carers again in school or college or an alternative suitable place where they can have a chat and complete an assessment
Depending on the Young Carers Assessment and identified needs, the local organisation is then able to agree a support plan with the Young Carer and confirm the support they can provide.
Due to COVID restrictions the chance to be young people free from their caring responsibilities through activities, social events, clubs and residential holidays has been cancelled. However Young Carers’ Support Workers are providing one-to-one support to young Carers in our communities. This includes support in school, help with Further Education, personal budgets, transport, family support, help with exploring feelings, help with friendships, advice, and counselling,
Many Young Carers frequently progress through life unidentified, but support is available for Young Carers aged 5 – 18 years of age, in Cumbria and can be accessed through these local Carer Support organisations:
- Carers Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
- Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
- Eden Carers Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
- Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
- West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
