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Young Carers Publications

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

 

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

We support her and over 50 other young carers like her.

As well as doing housework and chores, she 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 get 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 get the chance to have fun! 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 Residential breaks and days out.

 

Young Carers Residential 2008

Stewart McFarlane: stewart.mcfarlane@pkavs.org.uk
Lorri Millichamp: lorri.millichamp@pkavs.org.uk

The Homework Club

This gives young carers the chance to do some homework and ask for help without distractions. The group is not all about work however as the young carers chat and laugh, with the occasional burst of energy to send heads spinning.

The 11-13 Group

 

Imaginatively entitled I know! This group has a strong social element.
Because of their caring commitments, young carers often cannot take part in
social or school activities.

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

 

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Group

Ambitions or dreams are not things that most young carers have. They spend so much time caring for another that they often don't think of anything else. We try to instil belief and encourage them to see the possibilities that life can offer. This scheme builds confidence and esteem helping them to prepare for adulthood and gain a recognised award.

 

The Summer Residentials

    

Each year, we try to take some young carers away to an outdoor centre for 5 days.

Many would never go on a holiday apart from these trips.

 

They relax, learn skills and new activities.

It also gives the support workers 5 days with the young carers to talk with them and listen to their worries.
 

Big Days Out

We were 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.

November 2005 also saw out first big fun day for local young carers.

 

Volunteer with young carers

If you would like to make the lives of local children better, you can volunteer with the Young Carers' Project. Our volunteers help in the support groups and on days away.

It can be great fun and hugely rewarding. Please do contact us.

The Young Carers Project: 01738 567076

Stewart McFarlane: stewart.mcfarlane@pkavs.org.uk
Lorri Millichamp: lorri.millichamp@pkavs.org.uk