Carers are people who provides unpaid support to family or friends who couldn’t manage without this help. This can mean caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, or has mental health or substance misuse problems.
According to the Carers Trust there could be as many as 700,000 carers across the UK who are aged 18 or under. However, only a fraction of these – currently 30% – have been identified and are receiving support from organisations such as councils and charities.
Young carers often miss out on fun activities and seeing friends because of their caring role. They often don’t do as well at school as their peers, and are more likely to have issues with school absence and emotional or mental health needs.
However, many young carers also have a positive view of their caring role. They cite added appreciation for their time spent with family members and the pride they take in supporting loved ones.
Brighton & Hove City Council is marking national Young Carers Day on Thursday February 25 with an appeal for young carers in the city – or people who know of young carers – to get in touch with the City’s Carers Hub.
The Carers Hub is a joint project led by the city’s Carers Centre involving the council, the local NHS and other charities aimed at offering support to local carers.
Chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, Councillor Dan Chapman, said: “There’s a national issue with young carers going under the radar of organisations that may be able to offer them support. We want to tackle this head on.
“We and our partner organisations currently support just over 200 young carers, but it’s estimated that in Brighton & Hove there are more than 500 carers aged 18 or under.
“They do a fantastic job supporting their loved ones. We want to make sure our city’s young carers are receiving all the support they are entitled to, and have the same opportunities as other young people.”
If you are a young person who spends time in a caring role for family members, or if you know of a young person in this position, click here:
Or phone Brighton & Hove Carers’ Hub on 01273 977000.