30 January 2020
Raising awareness of young carers day
Young Carers Awareness Day is an annual event led by Carers Trust to raise awareness of the challenges faced by young carers and campaigns for greater support for them. It takes place today (Thursday, January 30). There are young carers in both primary and secondary schools across Aberdeenshire.
A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 (or 18 if still at school) who cares for a family member or friend due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.
Many young carers don’t realise they are carers and their caring role is sometimes not recognised by other people, like friends and teachers.
Young Carers may do some of the following: practical tasks such as cooking, cleaning or shopping, collecting or giving medication, nursing or personal care, looking after brothers and sisters and provide emotional support such as talking to someone who is distressed or listening to their worries.
Young carers may not have the time to do things that others their age do, and they may feel stressed by their caring role.
Carers Trust are running a Count Me In! campaign; asking education providers to more proactively identify young carers and to ensure that they receive the recognition and support they deserve. For more information and to download resource packs visit: www.carers.org/young-carers-awareness-day-2020 or get involved on social media with #CountMeIn and #YoungCarersAwarenessDay.
Other Young Carer Support Information:
If you are aware of young carers who reside in Aberdeenshire, Moray or Aberdeen City the following organisations can be contacted for information, advice and support:
Quarriers provide a Young Carers Support Service for Aberdeenshire and Moray Young Carers; for Aberdeenshire Young Carers contact by email
aberdeenshirecarers@quarriers.org.uk or telephone 01467 538700, for Moray Young Carers contact by email carersmoray@quarriers.org.uk or telephone 01343 556301. Barnardo’s provide support to Aberdeen City Young Carers and can be contacted by email AberdeenYoungCarers@barnardos.org.uk or telephone 01224 624090.
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 was implemented in April 2018 and provides several new rights for both unpaid adult and young carers to be supported in their caring role.
The Scottish Government has developed a new package of benefits and support for young carers in Scotland, which includes a Young Carers Package (for 11 to 18 year old) and the Young Carer Grant (for eligible 16 to 18 year old’s).
Young carers can undertake SVQ qualifications relating to their caring role, recommended for S3 upwards. For more information contact carersvq@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
For further information on young carer (or adult carer) support please email carersupport@aberdeenshire.gov.uk telephone 01467 536677 or visit website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/carersupport