Online Community Launched to Help Young Carers
Almost half of young carers in Leeds say they feel stressed about their responsibilities.
A survey's found around 51 per cent also feel proud of what they do, but a quarter don't have enough people to talk to.
Tara Jessop, 24, from Meanwood has looked after her mum since she was seven years old.
“She’s got sciatica, arthritis, allergies, and she has non-epileptic fits and depression,” she says.
“I’ll do things like the pots and the laundry, and then go and get dinner. There was a time when I was also doing all her personal care as well."
Well Carers Trust, the charity which did the research, has launched a new online community for young carers.
Babble (ww.youngcarers.net) will provide friendship and support online for carers under 18.
It allows them to find others in a similar position, chat to each other, share their stories and hear about each other's experiences.
They will also have access to advice, email and chat sessions with the Carers Trust Online Support Team.
Tara agrees that the launch of the online community could help break the isolation for others like her:
“I couldn’t just go out somewhere, or go on holiday and do what I want.
“I was quite isolated but because I was so used to it, it didn’t really phase me. That was me, that’s normality for me. But then when I started meeting people I realised how lonely I actually was”
When asked what sort of things they worried about, the carers were more worried about money, bullying, exams, the future and their families than people who aren’t carers.
Dr Moira Fraser, Interim Chief Executive of Carers Trust, says: "We know from what young people tell us that caring responsibilities can have a big impact on young carers' mental wellbeing, and this survey really brings home the scale of the issue
"This is also the first time we've been able to compare young carers' feelings to other children and young people. It shows just how much Babble is needed to combat the risk of isolation and to make sure these young people are as happy and supported as they can be".