Today (Wednesday) is Young Carers Action Day and with an estimated one in five children caring for a parent or sibling due to poor physical or mental health or drug/alcohol misuse, it’s the perfect time to recognise and congratulate our amazing young carers on the Isle of Wight.
Trudie Augustus‑Harris, the Island’s Young Carers Coordinator, explained that in a recent survey of their young carers, results showed that being part of the Young Carers Service has directly resulted in the positive increase of their emotional wellbeing.
Life for a young carer can be lonely
Through their role caring for a family member, young carers gain many positive additional skills, such as empathy, resilience and time-management.
However, it is also important to understand how lonely the life of a young carer can be.
“Being a young carer can be a very lonely place, trapped between childhood and adulthood, few can relate.”
This has been the case even more so over the last couple of years where many families have been more vulnerable to Covid as a result of their existing medical conditions and have chosen to isolate.
Taking Action on Isolation
This year’s Youth Action Day is focusing on taking action on Isolation.
Trudie told News OnTheWight that our schools are an ideal place to turn to and they’re in the process of making sure that every young carer is aware of a named member of staff who they can go to if they need to speak to someone in school who will be understanding of their circumstances.
Support is there
Trudie told News OnTheWight,
“Our young carers mention how grateful they are for the young carer group activities during the holidays which give them a vital opportunity to have fun, meet other young carers and make new friends with young people in a similar situation.
“Everyone who comes along understands the pressures of being a young carer and in a recent survey the young carers felt that being supported by the young carers service resulted in the increase of their emotional wellbeing.”
Walking in the shoes of young carers
In February 2020, a five-minute stop motion animation (see below) was launched by the Isle of Wight Young Carers Service.
The film was the culmination of a year-long youth social action project funded by the iWill fund and developed by Lauren Fry (who provides incredibly valuable support to young carers on the Isle of Wight).
Working with Lauren and Adam Gaterell (a poet, artist, and workshop facilitator) a group of young carers explored their experiences through poetry and illustration.
The five-minute animation is a must watch for all.
Get in touch
If you feel that the Young Carers Service could be beneficial please visit the Young Carers : Isle Of Wight Family Centres Website.
