Support available for young carers in Northumberland

More support is available for Northumberland’s young carers thanks to a collaboration with Northumberland County Council and Carers Northumberland.

Caring for a family member when you yourself are a young person, dealing with your own day-to-day life can be difficult, and because of this you may be able to get some additional help.

Young carers who have already accessed the service tell us how they have benefited.

• ‘This program has given me support and a chance to talk about how I feel with people that understand, how I am feeling’ – Young Carer, aged 14

• ‘I am excited to go horse riding with the money I received from the young carers support fund’ – Young Carer, aged 9

If you are aged 18 or under and look after a parent, sibling or any other family member who may have a disability, serious illness, problems with their mental health or with alcohol or drugs you could be classed as a young carer..

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s services said: “We are sure there are more young carers in our county than what we know, and it is important that they know there is help out there for them. They may not see themselves as a young carer, they may think that because they are related to that person, they have a duty to care for them – but they too can access help and it is important they do.

“It is not an easy journey they are on; they have their own lives to factor in, their education, their friends and their own hobbies and interests to pursue. We are committed to supporting our young carers to access the right support at the right time. This collaboration with Carers Northumberland means that they can get the additional help and support they need to help them grow and flourish as well!”

Through Carers Northumberland young carers can speak to a specialist worker that can support them, offer advice, an understanding ear, a chance to talk or simply get them access to activities to help recharge their batteries and enjoy in their spare time.

Chief Executive, Debra Blakey said: “Our aim is to improve the lives of all carers in Northumberland. So many of the young people we support didn’t see themselves as having a caring role or identify as a young carer until they were made aware of the extra responsibility they had taken on within the family. It is important that they too get the support they need, have someone who is there to listen and help improve their day-to-day lives and experiences.”

Young carers often take on extra household chores, have to sort out medications, help someone to wash or give extra comfort to someone meaning that there is less time for hobbies, interests, friends of schoolwork – this can make it extremely hard and be mentally and physically exhausting. This service can help alleviate some of stress and responsibility young carers experience.

If you are a young carer you can complete a referral form into the service with the help of a professional, you work with – this could be a teacher, youth worker or a family support worker. Find out how here > https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Young/Young-carers.aspx

Cath McEvoy Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children’s Services said: “Our

young carers play a vital role in their families lives. It is important we support them as much as they support others. They have so much responsibility on their shoulders and we want to remind them that they too are entitled to have some time for themselves. I urge any of our young carers to get in touch with the team, please access the help and support that is there ready and waiting.”

For more information head to https://www.carersnorthumberland.org.uk/carers/young-carers/