Young carers, you should know more.

Thank you very much for taking an interest in my blog.my name is Isolde and I have chosen this topic because I think that most people don’t know much about this or if they do, don’t know how to help. After my blog I hope you will be more informed.

Imagine that one of your parents or your brother or sister was in an accident which meant that they couldn’t do things that most people can easily do. Imagine that you had to look after them; you can’t go out with your friends or do all of your homework because you had to look after them. Over 175000 people under the age of 18 have to live with this in the UK.

Here are a few more facts about young carers:

• The average age of young carers is 12 but they can be as young as five years old
• One in five Young Carers miss school work because of their caring responsibilities
• Some responsibilities that young carers do are cleaning, cooking, shopping, helping someone wash or dress or use the toilet and giving the person medication and other medical care. 

Caring can be a positive experience. However some Young Carers do have some difficulties such as missing school, arriving ate or leaving early, tiredness or difficulty concentrating in class bullying and a lack of understanding from classmates or missing out on school trips and after school activities.

“I don’t always think my homework is good enough, I have to rush to get it done”

“At school sometimes people ask about my sister…why is she like this? They don’t understand. It’s difficult to explain all the time”

But there is some help for young carers. There are Young Carers groups, trips and activities and Saturday drop-ins to give young carers a break from caring. Lunchtime school clubs and private time to talk to people about anything that they are worried about  and helpers at school  to talk with the teachers about what’s happening to help with school work and school in general.

If you want any more information visit: www.youngcarers.net or www.youngcarers.com.  Please post a comment answering these questions then tell me your home town and country, if not UK;

• How much did you know about this topic before you read my blog?
• How much do you know about this topic now you have read my blog
• Would you now be willing to help my cause- would you donate money or volunteer at help groups?