Praise for Northumberland’s Young Carers ahead of Young Carers Action Day – March 16th

Northumberland County Council and Carers Northumberland are praising the contributions Northumberland’s Young Carers make to their families and communities as part of Young Carers Action Day.

Young Carers Action Day 2021 aims to raise awareness of young carers and help to protect their futures.

A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition or misuses drugs or alcohol. A young carer might take on practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping, help with physical and personal care, give emotional support, have to manage family budgets, give medicine or look after and care for siblings.

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services, said: “It is just as important that we support and care for our young carers as they do for others.

“We must remember they are children and young people and should have the same chances as their peers.”

Carers Northumberland are a local charity that support carers across Northumberland. The Young Carers Service supports young people up to the age of 18.

Young Carers are able to access:

• A Young Carers Worker, who offers 1-1 support, information and advice to Young Carers.
• An Active Northumberland pass – Young Carers aged 8-18 can access a free leisure pass
• Young Carers grant – A small grants scheme is available; grants are awarded for young carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities.
• Young Carers needs assessment, and impact assessments – these assessments can help plan support for young people.
• Access to a specialist 16 plus worker who can help Young Carers, with their education choices, CV’s and accessing employment.
• A regular Newsletter
• Young Carer ID cards

Debra Blakey, Chief Executive of Carers Northumberland, said: “Our young carers deserve to be heard, and for that reason we have contacted local and national businesses asking them to get involved this Young Carers Action Day by sharing information on their social media platforms.

“We hope that on 16^th March social media will be flooded with support for young and young adult carers to show them that their voices have been heard and that we are here to protect their futures and help them to realise their future career dreams.”

For more information on young carers in Northumberland visit https://www.carersnorthumberland.org.uk/carers/young-carers/ or if you would like to access the service please complete the referral form Young Carers Health and Wellbeing Check