Young carers
There are over 175,000 young people in the UK caring for someone with a physical or learning disability, illness or substance dependency.
What is a young carer?
Young carers look after a relative or friend who needs support because of a physical or learning disability, illness or substance dependency. Caring is classed as everything from intensive support through to more simple tasks such as communicating for deaf relatives.
What caring amounts to is a role reversal as these young people have to grow up and learn responsibility far more quickly. Many young people become carers for several years and some will be committed to caring for many years. This can bring feelings of intense isolation in the carer.
How many young carers exist?
The Department of Health had thought there were 32,000 young carers in the UK. The 2001 Census found 175,000. Some 13,000 are providing more than 50 hours of help a week. There are problems with the way these figures are constructed. The stats show 85% of all young carers provide 1-19 hours of care a week to a disabled, frail or chronically ill person. This lack of detail masks some important issues. There is a massive difference between caring for a disabled sibling for a couple of hours a week and being the sole carer for a single parent with severe mental illness. The impact of home situations can differ greatly from carer to carer.
Caring is also considered a hidden problem. Many young people don't see themselves as carers or consider seeking help when they find it hard to cope with the situation. Many younger carers of school age also fail to seek help when their situation makes them a target for bullies.
Help for young carers
Ewan Main, a support worker for the Princess Royal Trust for Young Carers has some advice for young carers on how to cope with the situation:
- It's very important to take time away from the situation: It may be hard to get some time away from the person you are caring for. But it's important to try and do some of the things that give you pleasure. You may want to play a sport, relax with friends or listen to music;
- If it's possible try and share the care: Caring for someone can leave you worn out. To stop yourself from becoming run down, it may be helpful to share caring responsibility with someone else;
- Get in touch with some support groups: When you are caring for someone you may sometimes feel you're the only person in the world in that situation. Friends may not understand your life. Talking to people who are in a similar situation may be helpful. You may be able to do this by taking part in activities for young carers;
- Learn about the illness/disability/substance dependency of the person you are caring for: Knowing about the illness/disability may be helpful in understanding your relative's behaviour or moods. If you are giving medication it is a good idea to know about the illness/disability;
- Most important of all, talk to someone: It is normal for you to go through phases when you are feeling angry, frustrated, guilty, sad, scared or worried. During those times it may be helpful to talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling. Friends, other carers, and family are people who might be helpful to speak with. If these feelings are stopping you from doing day-to-day things it may be helpful to see someone, like a counsellor.
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