Taking Action for Young Carers

People across South Tyneside are being encouraged to spare a thought for young carers next week as the Council and its partners mark Young Carers Action Day (Wednesday 15 March).

Young Carers Action Day is about raising public awareness of young and young adult carers, the pressures and challenges they face, and the incredible contribution they make to society.

Every day, thousands of young people across the UK help look after someone in their family or a friend who is ill, frail, disabled, is living with mental health difficulties or an addiction.

Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Independence, said: "It can be all too easy for our young carers to feel overwhelmed because of everything they need to do for their caring role on top of their other commitments for education or training.

"For this reason, it is important that we mark this day and let them know just how valued they are for the extraordinary work they do caring for someone in addition to all the usual pressures young people face."

The theme of this year's campaign is 'Make Time for Young Carers'.  This reflects the need for professionals and responsible adults to make more time to listen to young carers explain the challenges they face, so they can better understand and then put in place the support young carers actually need.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "We are committed to listening to our young carers and acting on what they have told us would support them.

"Plans are now in the pipeline to develop a young carers' passport which could be used in education and healthcare settings.

"This ID card would provide formal recognition of their caring role and allow young carers to discreetly let people know of their caring responsibilities without having to repeatedly share personal details.  It would also give our young carers the confidence to ask for help or understanding from professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses and pharmacists."

A workshop will be held later this month for young carers between the ages of 5 and 17 and young adult carers between the ages of 18 and 24 to co-produce the carers' passport. The workshop will be held on Tuesday 28 March at Jarrow Focus between 4pm and 6pm where young carers, support organisations, schools, college, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Children's and Adults Services will come together to progress the project. Any young carers and their families interested in coming along can register their attendance at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/youngcarersidcard