Sunderland Young Carers...Simply amazing

End of year and so many things to do. Targets to hit and end of year reports to be completed.

I usually decline invitations to meetings at this time of year but when the email came around from Sunderland Young Carers inviting me to their conference I put the pen down, shut off the computer and went along.

No-one warned me to take a hanky.

The conference was held in the Sandhill Centre and was open to all professionals organised by the Young Carers themselves. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together all relevant agencies, to raise awareness and share ways of working together.

I must say it got me thinking all weekend and I’ve put this on to the monthly practice agenda.

Young carers are young people aged 5 (yes 5) – 25 who help to look after a family member due to a long term illness, disability, mental health illness or addiction. Young carers may take on extra responsibilities at home such as cooking, cleaning or often they may worry about the person they care for.

You may be surprised at how many of our young children are Carers.  The Carers Centre say the numbers could be 2/3rds more than is registered with the centre.

Some children who are carers cannot get their homework in on time, some need to keep their phone on whilst in school in case they need to go home, whilst some are late every day.  If the school is aware of this they can give the young carer a school card.  The card helps teachers make allowances. There is so much support and if you think your child or someone you know is a young carer I would encourage you to point them in the direction of Sunderland Young Carers 0191 5493768.

The practice is actively asking patients if they are a carer or care for someone.  We are not being nosey,  all we want to do is direct you to those who can support and help you.

Same with the young carers, we need to do more to identify them. I’m looking for idea’s on what more we can do as a practice. If you come up with something then please get in touch with me by email. 

If you are a mother/father and worried about letting others know, please don’t be.  There is so much support for you all. 

Thank you Sunderland Young Carers, you are amazing and its young people like you that make this City and the world a better place J 

Photograph Sunderland Young Carers and Sharon Hodgson MP