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'helping kids to be kids'


Young carers enjoy a spooky daytrip to the Edinburgh Dungeons!

 

This is Amy. She has been looking after her seriously ill mother since she was 7 by herself.

The Young Carers Project supports Amy and over 50 other young carers in Perth & Kinross like her.

As well as doing housework and chores, Amy provides physical care for her Mother’s illness and emotional support. As a young child, she has more caring responsibilities than most adults could handle.

"A Topsy Turvy Peter Pan World"

A young carer is a child who provides care for a seriously ill or disabled family member. It is usually a parent or sibling that is being cared for, but sometimes it is both.

Being a young carer can mean missing out on the fun that most children have.

  • The youngest young carer we support is only aged 7
  • 65% of young carers have been caring for more than 3 years.
  • 18% spend over 20 hours each week caring for another.
  • 27% experience difficulties at school due to their caring commitments at home.
    • (Loughborough University, 2004)

Children are not adults, and having so much responsibility can affect their own health.

Many young carers suffer emotional stress that can lead to physical illness such as vomiting. Young carers are considered a high risk potential for mental illness or self harm.

If you know somebody who might be a young carer, please contact us; we can help.
The Princess Royal Trust Young Carers Project (Perth & Kinross)

We have a simple aim and that is to make children smile. We do this by supporting them in many ways and ensuring that they get the chance to have fun! This includes: one-to-one support for the young carer and his/her whole family; support groups for specific ages; an in-school support service and awareness-raising programme amongst teachers & pupils; and residential breaks and days out.
 
The Young Carers Group Night

Young carers of all ages can attend our fortnightly support group which runs in Perth on Monday evenings from 6pm to 8pm. Our Supports Workers and volunteers organise lots of fun activities, including everything from drama and arts & crafts to DVD and karaoke nights!

The Young Carers Group has a strong social element. Because of their caring commitments, young carers often cannot take part in social or school activities like their peers.

It is important that they have a setting where they can find and make friends, discover new interests and learn social skills.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Group

Many young carers do not have ambitions or dreams of their own. They spend so much time caring for another that they often don't think of anything or anyone else, including themselves. We try to instil self-belief and encourage them to see the exciting possibilities that life can offer. Our Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme builds confidence and self-esteem, helping young carers to prepare for adulthood, set and achieve goals, and gain a recognised award.

Summer Residential Trips

Each year, we try to take a group of young carers away to an outdoor centre for a five day residential trip. 

For many of our young carers, these annual trips can be their only holiday and are an opportunity to take a well-earned break from their caring responsibilities.

We organise a programme of activities where young carers can relax, learn and develop new skills and take part in new activities.

The trips also give our Support Workers five days with the young carers to talk with them and listen to their worries.

 

Photos from our Young Carers Residential 2008 ...

Big Days Out and Events

The Young Carers Project Perth & Kinross was proud to host the first-ever national event for young carers with a day of fun and entertainment in Perth.  With young carers from all over Scotland, it was a massive success.

In March 2007, we organised the Young Carers Superstar Challenge which saw twelve local businesses step forward to raise money for the project through a day of physical activities and challenges.

Volunteer with the Young Carers Project

If you would like to make the lives of local children better, you can volunteer with the Young Carers Project. Our volunteers help with the support groups and on days away. It can be great fun and hugely rewarding. Please do contact us on the numbers below if you'd like to find out more.

Young Carers Publications

CARING AROUND THE CLOCK is a booklet produced to help young carers in their caring role.

Contact the Young Carers Team

The Young Carers Project is based in The Gateway in North Methven Street, Perth.

Telephone: 01738 567076

Stewart McFarlane (Youth Operations Manager): stewart.mcfarlane@pkavs.org.uk
Lorri Millichamp (Young Carers Support Coordinator): lorri.millichamp@pkavs.org.uk
Raymond Jamieson (Young Carers Group Support Worker): raymond.jamieson@pkavs.org.uk