Young Carers

IIW THREE YEAR PROJECT ‘Happier Futures Better Lives’ 

The Governing Body, having deliberated over the charities put forward by Clubs and Districts, by individual ballot,selected ‘Young Carers’

as the GB&I charity for the IIW three year project ‘Happier Futures – Better Lives.’

WHAT IS A ‘YOUNG CARER’?

A survey carried out in 2010 by the BBC estimated that there are 700,000 young carers in the UK. Young carers are children and young people who often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult – for example

• Staying in the house a lot to be there for them

• Helping them to get up, get washed or dressed, or helping with toileting

• Doing lots of the household chores like shopping, cleaning and cooking

• Looking after younger brothers and sisters

• Providing emotional support or a shoulder to cry on

A young carer becomes vulnerable when the level of care given and responsibility to the person in need of care becomes excessive or inappropriate for that child, risking impacts on his or her emotional or physical well-being, educational achievement or life chances.

HOW CAN WE HELP

Whether wanting to help locally or via a central, office information is available from:

Carers Trust, was formed in 2012, when the Princess Royal Trust merged nationally with Crossroads schemes. Covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Carers Trust helps almost 30,000 young carers and young adult carers to cope with their caring role, offering them time and opportunity to be free from their caring responsibilities, enjoying Clubs, activities, outings, holidays and one-to-one support.

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