It has been revealed that around 8,000 young people across Cumbria are young carers.
The youngsters look after family members with an illness or disability. Often, they do not speak about the care they give a loved one at home.
They can struggle to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress, affecting their health, social life and self-confidence.
However, a number of support organisations have been set up in Cumbria and offer young people help and advice.
In the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Carers Support Cumbria has identified 113 new young carer and completed new assessments for 153.
Today is Young Carers Action Day, a national event that aims to raise awareness of young carers and the contribution they make to their families and local communities.
“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.”
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 online 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, 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, five million people – one in seven of the workforce – are juggling caring responsibilities with work.
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 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.
- Carers Support South Lakes, Email: [email protected] Tel: 01539 815970
- Carlisle Carers Email: [email protected] Tel: 01228 542156
- Eden Carers Email: [email protected] Tel: 01768 890280
- Furness Carers Email: [email protected] Tel: 01229 822822
- West Cumbria Carers Email: [email protected], Tel 01900 821976
