AS YOUNG Carers Action Day approaches, Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is urging young people with caring responsibilities to access support.
To recognise the day, which falls on Wednesday (March 16), WCC and its partners are keen to highlight the support available to young and young adult carers throughout the county.
Isolation is the theme for this year’s campaign, something carers and other vulnerable people will have experienced during the pandemic. Those who have a caring responsibility are seven times more likely to feel lonely or isolated than the general public.
WCC wants to reassure young carers that help and support is available to anyone struggling with their mental health and feelings of loneliness.
Health and Adult Social Care spokeswoman for WCC Margaret Bell said: “No young person should miss out on an education or a social life. As a young person you should know that there are dedicated services available to you to help relieve the pressure you may feel looking after a family member who is ill, disabled, or has a mental health issue or an addiction.
“Please know that Warwickshire is here for you.
“If you’re a young carer we encourage you to reach out to local services through our network, so you can get the support you need.”
The council also wants to urge children and young people with care responsibilities to make themselves known as official care givers to local support services such as Carers Trust and Warwickshire Young Carers.
The main message from the campaign is ‘Who’s Missing’, which refers to the number of young and young adult carers who are absent from school, college, university and apprenticeship placements due to their responsibilities.
Along with the council, Warwickshire Young Carers and the Carers Trust (HofE) work to ensure young carers are linked up to other young carers and have access to activities and groups.
Warwickshire Young Carers has been working with young people in the county since 1999 and has over 2,600 young carers known to them. The service provides one-to-one support, support at school, home visits, assessments of families’ needs and support for young adult carers with college applications and linking them up with others in similar situations.
Click here for information on support in the county, here for details on Warwickshire Young Carers and here for wellbeing support resources.
