Support for young carers in the spotlight
A young carer is someone aged 18 and under who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. Older young carers are also known as young adult carers and are 16-25 years old.
Carers’ Resource, the charity which supports young and adult carers across Bradford, Harrogate and Craven, is aiming to make clubs and groups more accessible for young carers.
Many families with caring responsibilities find it difficult to transport their children to and from activities, due to financial and practical limitations.
Carers’ Resource is raising funds to provide transport to youth clubs and groups, enabling young carers to feel less isolated.
Helen Prince, Head of Development, Young Carers and Families at Carers’ Resource, said: “This year the theme for Young Carers Action Day is ‘Taking Action on Isolation’.
“For young carers, having the right support can be really beneficial, giving them a better chance of succeeding in all parts of their lives.
“Young carers need regular breaks from caring, and groups where they can have fun and talk to our staff and other young carers. We can see the difference this makes to the young carers who do attend and we want more young people to be able to access these groups.
“We know there are many causes in need of funds at the moment, but please do consider supporting local young carers in some way, however small. It will make a big difference to the lives of young people.”
Young Carers Action Day is an annual event, organised each year by Carers Trust.
'We're here for you'
The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) is using this day of action to raise public awareness of young carers and young adult carers, the pressures and challenges they face and the incredible contribution they make.
Their message to young carers is ‘We’re here for you’ alongside local carer organisations working with young carers in Bradford District and Craven; Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield, to help combat isolation and provide support, signposting and respite activities.
Whilst many young carers are hidden, they may display signs in school or college that indicate they need support. This could include regular lateness and or low attendance, tiredness and or low attention span or a change in behaviour, becoming aggressive or angry, withdrawn, or quieter than usual.
A ‘Young carers support app’ co-produced with young carers is available to download and provides free advice and support for young carers covering topics like mental health, education, emergency planning, carer skills, and relationships.
Let’s cook is a young carers' cookbook full of recipes for home-cooked food chosen by local young carers. It features stories, art and creative writing and cooking skills. The cookbook was coproduced using recipes, stories, art, and creative writing from West Yorkshire young carers as young as six.
On Young Carers Action Day we want to let young carers across the region know that we’re here for you and to say thank you for making a difference. Young carers make great sacrifices every single day to look after a loved one and will never be forgotten. The last two years have been incredibly difficult, and we want them to know that support services are these to offer help.
Support for young carers in Bradford district
Sophia Cunningham, a young carer, attends one of the Carers’ Resource youth groups. She said: “It’s a nice break for me and it means that I can just chill out and make new friends.”
Kaine Forster-Smith also attends one of the groups. He said: “It’s a great chance for me to socialise and get out of the house. We play games, and do a lot of cooking, we’ve made Chinese food, honeycomb, banana splits – we all get to choose what we do.”
A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps look after a relative who has a condition, such as a disability, illness, mental health condition, frailty or addiction. Most young carers look after one of their parents or help care for a brother or sister.
Carers’ Resource organises mentoring, trips, youth clubs and activities for young carers across Bradford, Harrogate and Craven, providing fun, friendship and support.
Young carers can be put in touch with Carers’ Resource by a family member, teacher, GP or other professional, or they can get in touch themselves.
01423 500555
