Carers Trust Cambridgeshire supports Young Carers Awareness Day
Young Carers Quiz CEO in ‘Takeover Day’
Carers Trust Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are supporting Young Carers Awareness Day on Thursday 28th January when they hope to identify hidden young carers in the region.
The national day is in recognition of the 700,000 young carers in the UK who work around the clock providing care and support family and friends. It is estimated there are more than 2,000 young carers aged 5-25 in the region – as many as two pupils in each class – and identifying them early is vital to provide them with support to safeguard their wellbeing.
Young carers in Cambridgeshire will be rising to a new challenge on the day, taking charge of Carers Trust Cambridgeshire HQ in St Ives and becoming CEO for the day. They have been asked, “If you were the CEO of Carers Trust Cambridgeshire for the day, what would you change?” All will be revealed on the day!
Eight carers aged 7-16 from Wheatfields Primary School and St Ivo School in St Ives will take part in The Takeover Challenge, which aims to involve young carers in strategic planning by incorporating their views and ideas for developing its services.
A Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk spokesperson, said “We want to use Young Carers Awareness Day to raise awareness about the thousands of young carers who miss out on vital services and support they are entitled to. With increased awareness and understanding in the community about young carers, we hope that children and young people with caring responsibilities can be more easily identified and helped, along with their families, to access the right support.
“Figures show that there are more than 2,000 young carers in our region, but we know this is the tip of the iceberg and there are more hidden young carers. Young Carers Awareness Day is an opportunity for us all to try and identify those who are hidden.
“We would also like to use this opportunity to engage with local businesses in the hope that they will become involved in sponsoring some of our events and activities or supporting events with staff and volunteers.”
Our Young Carers in Schools programme has given many schools and colleges the support to be able to grow their offer for young carers and many of these education providers will be demonstrating their commitment to identify more young carers on young carer awareness day, by holding a series of awareness raising activities, including hosting young carer themed breakfasts, assemblies, tutor group awareness raising sessions and information stands.
Not sure if you are a young carer or not? Do any of the following apply to you?
- Have a relative, including siblings, who are disabled, ill or injured, meaning that you have to care extra for them?
- Do chores for a relative, such as cleaning, because they are unable to?
- Live with a relative who misuses substances?
- Live with a relative who has issues with their emotional well being?
- Struggle to attend school or college regularly?
- Help look after someone which means that you can’t spend time with your friends or get your homework done?
Our projects enable young carers and young adult carers to meet other young people in similar caring roles and have fun away from their responsibilities. Activities and support includes:
- Regular groups
- Day trips
- Focus days and activities such as healthy eating and drama or photography workshops
- Residential trips away from home
- School groups and support within Further Education establishments
- 1:1 support if needed
- Transition planning and Carers’ Star Outcome support
- Online support
