Wednesday 16 March marks Young Carers Action Day. Held every year, it’s a time for people to come together and take action for young people looking after their loved ones.
Looking after a friend or family member is an amazing thing to do, but it can also be a lot to take on. Today The Carers’ Centre in Bath raises awareness of incredible contribution from these young carers to their families and local communities, and the challenges they face.
It is estimated there are a staggering 800,000 young carers in the UK aged 5 – 17 who look after a friend or family member that needs extra help. This could be due to old age, illness, disability, mental health problems or an addiction. Across Bath and North East Somerset, The Children’s Society estimate that there are over 3,000 children caring for a loved one.
The pandemic has had a devastating impact on young carers. Caring hours and responsibilities have increased, and young carers feel more isolated as a result.
How can you take action for young carers?
The Carers’ Centre is a local charity dedicated to providing support people of all ages who look after someone else. To mark Young Carers Action Day, Janine Woodward-Grant, Deputy CEO at The Carers’ Centre, has shared these simple ways you can support young carers.
“We support some truly amazing young people, some as young as five years old, and they talk to us about the joy they feel in being able to help someone they love. But it’s not without its challenges. They also talk to us about the loneliness they can feel, about the things they miss out on simply because they care, and about how misunderstood and unheard they can feel within their community.
“That’s why today, we’re asking you to take action for young carers. Here are a few super simple ways you can do this.”
Recognise young carers
When you’re caring for someone, you just get on with it. You want that person to get the best out of life. But what that can mean you don’t recognise the challenges that is placing on you and that’s especially the case when you’re young. Take the time to inform and educate yourself about what it can be like to be a young carer. Look at the lives of young carers that are out there so that you’re ready and understand more the next time you meet someone who’s caring.
Try a new perspective
Everyone’s caring situation is different so if you know a young carer, try and see things through their eyes from their perspective. Think about the ways which caring impacts on them both positivity but also negatively.
“Loneliness for a young carer is thinking you are the only one like you and none of your friends will understand,” said Young Carer Becca. “You feel like you’re trapped in a box.”
Listen
It’s not always easy to feel heard as a carer and that’s especially so when you’re a young person talking to adults. Young carers are wise beyond their years and sometimes all they need is to be able to voice how they’re feeling, and feel that the person they’re talking to has really listened and heard what they’re saying.
For more information about The Carers’ Centre and their services for young people, please visit www.banescarerscentre.org.uk