Two Harrogate young carers share their struggles during lockdown
Benjy and Ysabella are both ten years old and have been caring for the last few years
Last updated 16th Mar 2021
Two young carers from Harrogate are bravely telling their stories of how they've been affected by the pandemic.
It's as a survey from the Carers Trust says up to 40% of young carers are now suffering with their mental health as a result of lockdowns.
Benjy and Ysabella are two ten-year-olds from Harrogate. They're supported by Carers' Resource which is a not-for-profit organisation providing support for carers, no matter of their age, race, religion or needs.
Benjy cares for his youngest brother, Arthur, who has developmental delay.
Benjy said: "Keeping an eye on him, making sure he has what he wants and needs because if he doesn't get what he wants he might have a meltdown and harm himself or someone else.
"I'm happy to help but sometimes it can feel a bit awkward because there's other things which I'd like to do which I can't. We can't go shopping unless their is a carer with Arthur.
"Just being able to act older and help more, I don't see it as me growing up too fast. It's not like it cancels out what I would do. I can still run around with my friends at school or at the park.
"Everyday is stressful but sometimes it can feel like a lot to do and a lot of pressure so sometimes you can snap. This one day I just snapped so someone from my carers group came round and we had a walk and then everything was fine."
Ysabella cares for her mum and younger brother, Reuben.
Ysabella said: "It's been quite challenging because sometimes Reuben doesn't pay attention or he might go a little crazy and zone out. I have to make sure he's being safe.
"I start to do my breathing techniques because they help a lot. I've also found listening to the cat and stroking her as she is purring helps me. It makes me feel comfortable.
"I really want to go out to different places but because of covid it's ruined it. You don't know if somebody could have it and then pass it onto us and we need to be careful as mum is high risk. She's had it before and I don't want her to get it again so that worries me."
As today is Young Carers Action Day (March 16), Carers Trust is calling on governments across the UK to commit to developing new cross-cutting action plans to protect the futures of children and young people with caring responsibilities.
They say these plans are urgently needed to address a sharp downward spiral in the mental health of over one million young carers across the UK, and the adverse impact this is having on their aspirations, opportunities and hopes for the future.
To address these challenges, Carers Trust say national action plans should include clear actions that can be delivered at pace, they should address education, employability and health and wellbeing prospects among young people with caring responsibilities up to the age of 25.
Welcoming the call for national action plans to protect young carers’ futures, world-leading researcher on young carers’ rights and Carers Trust Ambassador, Professor Saul Becker, said:
“During the pandemic, we have seen millions of people, rightly, furloughed to stay at home, paid by the government and told they must NOT work. On the other hand, carers of all ages, and especially carers under the age of 25, have been forced to stay at home because schools have closed, health and social care services have been cancelled, and young carers have taken on many of the responsibilities of statutory and other service providers, often on a full-time basis.
“It’s young carers’ turn for recognition and support. We desperately need national and local action plans to make sure that young carers are not left behind; that they are no longer ignored and invisible. We must safeguard their futures – and see this as a sound investment not a cost.”