Isolation a concern for Cumbrian young carers

More than eight out of 10 teenagers with caring responsibilities feel lonely during the summer holidays, according to new research.

A survey found 82 per cent of 11-18 year-olds who look after loved ones feel isolated during the summer break.

Almost a third (32 per cent) feel lonely for most of the summer break and 35% do not look forward to the time off at all.

Almost one in five (18 per cent) of them spend more than 12 hours a day cooking, cleaning and looking after loved ones who need support, the research by Action for Children and the Carers Trust revealed.

86 per cent of the youngsters said they get more worried or stressed in the summer break than in term time, with almost two fifths feeling that way for most of the holiday.

A separate survey found more than half of young adults said they felt they did more caring than they used to, with many saying they look after more people than before.

Paul Carberry, chief executive of Action for Children, said: "Young carers are proud to look after family members, but the work they do deserves proper recognition and support.

"Young carer respite services can be a lifeline, but the support currently available just isn't enough to reach all of them in the right way.

"Only around 20% of young carers in England receive support from their local council.

"The Government must ensure councils have sufficient funding so all young carers have access to these essential services.

"Only then will these children begin to have the practical and emotional support they need for a safe and happy childhood."

And there's concerns that these issues could be particularly compounded in Cumbria due to it's geographical and socially remote landscape.

Dani Leslie from Carer support Carlisle and Eden said: "The bus time tables aren't that great and you don't have the infrastructure to be able to communicate. I suppose social media helps in that sense but isolations is still a huge, huge issue.

"We have trips and activities throughout the holidays and a young carer's group. We have pizza clubs for the older ones and we work closely with the schools.

"Then you have the issue of older carers leaving secondary school. They can sometimes feel guilty about wanting to go to college, university or moving away and getting a flat of their own to start a life because who is going to be there for the person they are caring for."

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