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Isle Of Wight Council Marks Young Carers Action Day

The Isle of Wight Council and partners are asking people to show their support to Island young people on Young Carers Action Day today (Wednesday).

The council has linked up with commissioned partners Barnardo's and the YMCA to promote the day and encourage organisations and individuals to sign the Carers Trust Young Carers Pledge to support young carers and young adult carers.

Young Carers Action Day is an annual event by The Young Carers Trust raising awareness of young carers and young adult carers (aged up to 25 years old), who provide care and/or support to a family member, including siblings, or a friend, who could not manage without their help.

This year’s theme is 'Make time for young carers'.

Councillor Debbie Andre, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills, said:

"Without support, a caring role can affect young carers in every area of their life.

"A recent survey by The Young Carers Trust found as much as 45 per cent of young carers report having a mental health problem.

“The pledge is based on the voices and experiences of young carers and young adult carers, and feedback from The Young Carers Trust has shown that young people are keen to use the action day to show how important their health and wellbeing is.

"We can support young carers by taking time to listen to them, to their challenges, their ambitions and choices, and make the time to put the right support in place and I encourage everyone to join me in showing their support for young carers and young adult carers by signing the pledge.”

Locally, Barnardo’s and the YMCA provide a council-commissioned support service for 366 young carers across the Island, aged five to 18 years old.

Trudie Augustus-Harris, YMCA young carers service co-ordinator, said:

“Young carers often put aside their own needs so they can provide support and care for someone close to them.

"Please show your support by signing the pledge. We are also asking Island schools to screen our awareness raising stop motion animation ‘A-Z of Being a Young Carer’, created and produced by our talented local young carers with the brilliant Studio Wren in 2019.

"It is a beautifully poetic, collective description of their emotions and feelings about being a young carer. The A-Z of being a Young Carer - YouTube

"The Young Carers Support Service is proud to help these incredible young people navigate their way through this important stage in their lives, with a view to a happy and positive future.”

More information about local support can be found here: https://www.isleofwightfamilycentres.org.uk/young-carers-family-support 

For more information about how you support young carers and the pledge, please visit www.carers.org.uk 

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