YMCA Young Carers Service is encouraging schools on the Isle of Wight to support The Carers Trust’s National Young Carers Awareness Day set for this Thursday (28th January).
Young carers provide a caring role for family members who have a long-term illnesses, disabilities, mental health conditions or substance dependencies. Sometimes the person cared for has multiple conditions. Although there are positive outcomes from caring, it can also adversely affect children’s health, education and wellbeing.
Secondary schools including Christ the King and Cowes Enterprise College have already opted to back the Awareness Day to highlight the needs of young carers in their schools. Later this year, on the 10th March, Sandown Academy is set to host Young Carers In School training event to support professionals working in Island schools. This training event is organised in partnership with The Children’s Society, Carers Trust and YMCA.
Sophie Kerr, Support Worker from YMCA Young Carers says:
“We have provided schools with resources and ideas to support the day. Schools can opt to run in-school fundraising activities to help fund respite activities, or help promote the support on offer to students and staff. Raising awareness enables young carers to be identified, and can help them to access services that they are entitled to”.
The Isle of Wight Council currently commissions YMCA Young Carers Service, who provides community based support to over 340 carers under 19. The service tailors provisions to the needs of each child and works alongside family members, schools and other agencies to challenge negative impacts. Carers undertaking a high level of caring access 1:1 support sessions with their allocated support worker, and all registered carers are offered publically funded respite activities.
Further information about the Young Carers Awareness Day can be found via https://www.carers.org/young-carers-awareness-day.
To find out how to donate or volunteer with the YMCA, please contact the Young Carers team on (01983) 861071 or email [email protected].
Featured image: Carers Trust
