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News

Campaign appeals for public and businesses to support thousands of young carers in Wales

A CAMPAIGN is calling for recognition and support for the thousands of inspiring young carers in north and mid-Wales.

Credu has appealed for businesses, schools, colleges, universities, and communities across the region to help shine a light on the dedication and commitment of more than 2,400 young carers in Wrexham, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys, and Ceredigion.

Ahead of Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday March 13 – organised by Carers Trust – they are pushing for more organisations to recognise bilingual resources including an identity card offering discounts, fast-track and incentives to young people with unpaid caring responsibility for a family member or loved one, often for up to 50 hours a week on top of their work or studies.

This latest appeal, entitled Fair Futures for Young Carers, also wants education settings to demonstrate more empathy and understanding of the challenges they face and come up with solutions to alleviate pressure and create a positive learning environment.

Young Carers Coordinator Sally Duckers said Bangor University is a role model for other institutions, having invited young adult carers to attend a residential taster while recognising the barriers they face in accessing higher education, given they are traditionally likely to be living in areas of high deprivation, compared to their peers.

“Young carers are consistently telling us they wish their schools would understand them better, which is disheartening,” said Sally.

“Credu has been working on a programme of resources to address that, which includes free bilingual lesson plans aimed at key stages two and three that follow the Welsh curriculum and new promotion of the Young Carers ID card, which invites support from our communities.

“Some businesses and attractions are already on board, but we would like it to be more noticed and prevalent in the communities we work in. We hope others will offer that support to the young carers given the economic and social obstacles they often face.”

She added: “To have the support of Bangor University and other educators is vital, as it gives them something to strive for, a pathway to their future careers.

“Statistics from UCAS revealed young carers tend to apply to universities within 30 minutes of their home, so having FE and HE providers in North Wales showing so much support and understanding is key – we are really thankful for that.”

Lowrian Williams, Widening Participation Officer for UK Recruitment and Admissions at Bangor University, said the institution is “dedicated” to supporting young carers in Wales and pleased to support the campaign.

“A highlight for us is our annual Young Carers Residential, happening every Easter,” said Lowrian.

“With support from our partners at Reaching Wider North and Mid Wales Partnership, we invite young carers from all over Wales, and during their stay on campus, they experience a taste of university life, connect with our friendly staff and students, and take part in workshops and academic talks.

“It’s not just a break from caring; it’s a chance for them to focus on their own goals and aspirations and we look forward to welcoming them again this Easter.”

She added: “Young carers bring a unique and enriching perspective to our university student community. Their resilience, compassion, and diverse life experiences contribute greatly to the academic community and beyond.”

Eve Lambrick, a Raising Awareness Coordinator with Credu, hopes to see more people become ‘Champions’ for young carers to ensure they do not miss out on activities, adventures, or job opportunities because of a lack of transport, lack of finances or lack of social connections.

“We hear many inspiring stories where some positive support in a timely way has led to young carers being able to flourish and develop skills after being given a platform to succeed,” she added.

“We would love to see businesses especially identify opportunities for young carers, to give them a voice and opportunities they might never have thought were possible.

“That’s the community we are looking to build so they have all the transferable skills, maturity and resilience needed to thrive – that will give them a fair future.”

To access the Credu resources pack, visit www.padlet.com/creducarers/credu-young-carers-resources-u0pc4j2tuz8vzovv.

For more information, email carers@credu.cymru or sally@credu.cymru or visit https://rb.gy/n1xur7. Alternatively, email  admin@credu.cymru.

Use the hashtag #YoungCarersActionDay to support the campaign.

News

Devastating impact of cost-of-living crisis on young carers in Wales

A CAMPAIGN to support the health and wellbeing of young carers is growing in momentum following a “significant increase” in the number supporting a family member for more than 50 hours a week and the devastating impact of the cost-of living-crisis.

Ahead of Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday (March 15), Credu is calling on schools, colleges, health bodies and communities to show more awareness and create opportunities for the thousands of carers across the country looking after a loved one.

Organised by Carers Trust, the Action Day wants people to ‘Make Time for Young Carers’, including the 1,400+ identified in Wrexham, Conwy, and Denbighshire and more than 1,000 in Powys and Ceredigion.

They want to see extended understanding in schools and workplaces, and more access to breaks and financial and mental health support.

Young people have been writing to MPs and Members of the Senedd, asking them to sign up to a five-point pledge committing them to supporting children and young people in a caring role.

And Credu has developed resources with guidance and advice, including a Young Carer’s Identity Card that can be worn on a lanyard, so teachers, staff and members of the public understand their situation.

Young Carers Coordinator Sally Duckers said: “Our focus is on awareness and asking schools, colleges, and people in society to take time to listen to young carers and find out what might help them to not just survive but thrive.

“The ID card is available across the whole of Wales and makes it easier for young carers to show they care in health settings, educational settings, or employment, where having a caring role may impact them.

“Given the effect of the cost-of-living crisis on families across the country, we are encouraging local businesses to pledge their support by offering a discount on entrance costs or goods that could support young carers – all of this could make a huge difference.”

The National Census of 2021 highlighted how young carers and young adult carers in England and Wales were more likely to be living in areas of high deprivation, compared to their peers without caring responsibilities.

There has been a marked rise in the number of young carers and young adult carers who care for at least 20 hours a week and there are still tens of thousands of young people caring for more than 50 hours. This is despite it being nearly 10 years since the introduction of new legal rights for young carers.

In a new Carers Trust Survey around 56% of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis is always or usually hitting them and their family, with a third admitting they always or usually face additional costs because they are a carer.

Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: “These shocking survey results show young people caring for their loved ones are being hit by a perfect storm of increasing intensity in their caring responsibilities and the spiralling cost of living.

“It cannot be right that children and young adult carers are having to take on the burden of dealing with stretched household finances and caring for ever longer hours, to the detriment of their education and wellbeing.

“A national strategy for unpaid carers must finally be developed after years of delay, while an overhaul of Carer’s Allowance is long overdue. Young people also tell us they urgently need support with mental health and access to breaks. It’s high time we gave them the help they so sorely need.”

For more information, email carers@credu.cymru or sally@credu.cymru or visit https://rb.gy/n1xur7.

Use the hashtag #YoungCarersActionDay to support the campaign.