28 January 2020

Young Carers Day will be marked on Thursday 30 January 2020 and we are pledging our support in raising awareness of the one in five children and young people who care for someone and the challenges faced by them.

Here are some important facts to note about young carers, which highlights how difficult things can get:

  • Two in three young carers have been bullied in school
  • One in three young carers say their caring role makes them feel stressed
  • 48 days is the average number of school days missed or cut short as a result of a young person’s caring role
  • 23 per cent of young carers felt their caring role had stopped them making friend

Caring for someone can be very isolating, worrying and stressful. For young carers, this can negatively impact on their experiences and outcomes in education, having a lasting effect on their life chances.

Most of the time, its about starting a conversation, asking a young carer the right questions, listening to them and showing them where they can find help and support.

Lucy Palmer, Head of Patient and Carer Involvement said:

"We know that in some clinical situations, the views, knowledge and expertise of young carers can be missed, and their own needs can be overlooked. By listening to what young carers have to say about their loved one, and asking them about their own support and wellbeing, staff can make a huge difference to their experience. There is support out there and it’s important to signpost young people to this."

If you are or know a young carer, the Carers Trust has valuable resources that can be used including information about services that can offer support for young carers. Find it on their website.

You can also get involved in the conversation on Twitter, using the hashtag #YoungCarersAwarenessDay.