Young carers spending more time caring

A Carers Trust survey results released last month show 51% of young carers and young adult carers in the UK are caring for between 20 and 49 hours a week. The care they provide is also intensifying, with 56% saying the time they spent caring increased in the last year and 47% reporting they now care for more people than they used to.   

The theme for this year’s Young Carers Action Day, chosen by young carers and young adult carers, was Make Time for Young Carers.

Young Carers Action Day is an annual event organised by Carers Trust with its 124-strong network of local carers organisations across the UK. The day aims to raise awareness of the constant challenges and pressures faced by young carers and young adult carers– children and young people who look after someone who couldn’t do without their help, such as a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.

These hours spent caring on top of daily schoolwork and revision for exams can have a real impact on children’s health and wellbeing, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed. 44% of young carers said they ‘always’ or ‘usually’ feel stressed. But they say this doesn’t have to be the case and there are some key things that would leave them feeling healthier and happier.

Most of all, young carers need adults to make more time for them. They need professionals and responsible adults to listen to them about the challenges they face and then spend time putting the support they need in place.

One young carer, supported by Care for the Carers, said that in his old school they had a special young carers club run by staff. “It helped when I couldn’t cope and I could talk about what was wrong.”

Another young carer said they didn’t know if there were any other young carers in school, but would “really like to know so we can support each other.”

An idea from the young carers was that it would be helpful to get a ‘time out’ pass for when they were really stressed. School “could be a bit more understanding, I don’t want to always be in trouble.”

Jennifer Twist, Chief Executive at Care for the Carers says: “Young carers tell us how much they value the clubs, activities and support our service provides, but it’s clear that there is much more to do to provide the thousands of young carers in East Sussex and across the UK with the support they need.

“Care for the Carers is joining the Young Carers Alliance, calling on the government to take urgent action, to introduce measures ensuring Young Carers are recognised and supported across government.

“Our Young Carers Service is for all young carers aged 5 to 17 years, living, attending school or caring for someone in East Sussex. We run monthly Young Carers Clubs, free holiday activities, and we help young carers access services and activities. We also have a Young Adult Carer Service for carers aged between 17 and 25. Please get in touch with us if you know a young carer who needs support, or are a young carer yourself.”

Cost of living impact

The Carers Trust’s survey of 1,109 UK young carers (aged under 18) and young adult carers (aged 18-25) also shows the effect of the cost of living on their lives. 32% said they always or usually face additional costs because they are a carer.  57% said that they always or usually worry about the cost of living and things becoming more expensive, and almost the same amount (56%) said the cost-of-living crisis is always or usually affecting them and their family.   To read the report, visit the Carers Trust website.  

Over one million young carers in England

A 2018 BBC and Nottingham University study of young carers suggested there are 800,000 young carers aged 11-16 in England. When all young carers in England aged either 17 or under 11 are factored in and combined with all young carers living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is not unreasonable to assume there are over one million young carers in the UK.  

Care For The Carers

Care for the Carers is the Carers Centre for East Sussex and an independent charity supporting unpaid carers across the county. The charity is commissioned to provide services to carers by East Sussex County Council and the NHS. 

The charity provides free practical and emotional advice to Carers and a range of services. Services include referrals to other local services, outreach support, one-to-one crisis help and guidance, coaching, training, wellbeing and support groups, activities and counselling. They strive to create carer friendly communities and peer support opportunities across East Sussex. 

Care for the Carers aims to do more to help carers in East Sussex through raising awareness, fundraising and volunteering. Their work ensures that no one is left to care alone. Further information is available at: www.cftc.org.uk, by phoning 01323 738390 or emailing info@cftc.org.uk. 

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