Young carers
Some of our youngsters have to do a great deal at home and for them it can be challenging. Our Young Carers are not alone and we seek to create opportunities for them to allow them some respite.
YOUNG CARERS
My name is Mrs Ives and I am Woodlands School Young Carer Advocate.
Who are Young Carers?
A Young Carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps look after a relative who has a condition, such as a disability, illness, mental health condition, or a drug or alcohol problem.
Most young carers look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister. They do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, preparing medication or helping someone to get dressed and move around.
Some children give a lot of physical help to a brother or sister who is disabled or ill. Along with doing things to help their brother or sister, they may also be giving emotional support to both their sibling and their parents.
We have launched our own Young Carers Programme at Woodlands
We have a daily get-together at lunchtime, so that any Young Carers in school can meet up, relax and chat, play games and catch up on any work they might have missed or homework they were unable to complete. It’s an opportunity for them to realise they are not alone.
We are currently working with registered charities
- Kool Carers
- Carers Choice to give our Young Carers some additional support
- Support to Thrive
As well as referring to Essex County Council Young Carers Key Worker Team
These charities provide:
- 1:1 support
- Group Support sessions
- Home visit support programmes
- Respite activities and excursions
If you need any more information on Young Carers, think that you might be a Young Carer or believe that you know someone who is a Young Carer, then please come and make yourself known to me.
