It’s Young Carers’ Awareness Day
Help identify and support young carers so they can achieve their dream job
Today the Carer’s Trust will publish results of their ‘When I grow up’ survey for young carers. The aim is to highlight that young carers and young adult carers can achieve their dream job or career – but only when the right support is in place for themselves and their families. Crucially to get support, a young carer needs to be identified as early as possible.
Who are young carers?
A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps look after a friend or relative who has a long term condition, such as a disability, illness, mental health issue, or misuses drugs or alcohol. The care they provide is unpaid. In Surrey it is estimated that 14,000 children are looking after someone.
Young carers are just like any other child or young person except they lead a very different life. While their friends have time to study, socialise and enjoy sports and hobbies, a young carer’s time will be spent looking after someone. Carer’s Trust research shows that:
- Young carers miss or cut short an average 48 school days a year because of their caring role.
- Almost half of young carers are struggling to get their homework done on time.
- 80% are missing out on childhood activities.
- Almost half are reporting stress, tiredness or mental health issues.
What you can do
If you’re a young carer – or you know or work with a child or young person who might be a young carer – support is available at Surrey Young Carers on 01483 568269 or www.surrey-youngcarers.org.uk.