Young carers in York 'getting left behind' because of the pandemic.
A Carers Trust survey says two thirds of young carers are more worried about the future because of Coronavirus.
There's a warning that young carers in York are being forgotten about during the pandemic.
It's as the Carers Trust is urging the Government to protect the futures of children and young people with caring responsibilities.
The group says: "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.
"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.
"A recent Carers Trust survey revealed high levels of anxiety and stress among young carers. The survey found two thirds (67%) of young carers aged 12 to 17, and 78% of young adult carers aged 18 to 25 were experiencing increased concern for their futures since Coronavirus.
"To address these challenges, 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".
Katherine Macy is 22 and lives in York - she's cared for her mum since the age of 10: "The pandemic has highlighted how we treat people; it's highlighted that so many people genuinely don't care about disabled people, vulnerable people and how easy it is to be left behind.
"I'm worried about the job market and my future career. It's really easy to discuss carers as 'separate' from the disabled community and portray disabled people as burdens. As someone in both of those communities, I'm a carer because everyone else has failed us.
"My mother doesn't get the support she needs from the doctors; she doesn't get the surgery she needs from the hospital; my grandmother doesn't get the support required, so it's not realistic to aim to have all unpaid carers as no longer carers.
"As soon as you have an unpaid carer in your household you've already slipped through the gaps. We can't let anyone else slip through the gaps.
"Carers are more than just carers. We need a vocation; we need to be shown how to move forward with our lives both inside and outside our caring roles".
We contacted the Department for Health and Social Care for comment in response to the issues raised. A Government spokesperson told us: "Young carers perform an indispensable role in looking after their loved ones and we want to thank them for all they’ve done during these unprecedented times.
“We recognise how challenging this period is, and the Government launched a campaign last September with Every Mind Matters to raise awareness of the guidance and tools available to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
“Young carers must be able to take advantage of opportunities beyond their caring responsibilities and we are determined to give them the support they need. To help pupils make up for lost learning and experiences, we are investing £700 million through a dedicated catch up programme.”
The department has also provided further background information:
- We are investing £8 million in our Wellbeing for Education Return programme, bringing health experts together with education staff, so they can respond to anxieties and concerns that some children and young people may be facing as they return to school or college
- The following is the latest guidance for unpaid carers and young carers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-care/guidance-for-those-who-provide-unpaid-care-to-friends-or-family
- Public Health England continues to update and promote the Every Mind Matters website.
- DfE has worked with DHSC and the sector to produce guidance for young carers – including how and where they can get help and support.
- DfE is providing practical support to young carers via the NHS Volunteering Responders scheme.
- The Government’s £8 million Wellbeing for Education Return programme is facilitating local expert support for education staff to respond to the emotional and mental health pressures some children and young people may be feeling as a result of COVID-19.
- Over 80% of Local Authorities in England have told us that they are delivering additional training and support into thousands of local schools and colleges because of Wellbeing for Education Return funding.
- These local areas are providing training and support in a variety of ways, including via online live or recorded interactive sessions, webinars, podcasts, drop-ins and peer networks or coaching groups.
- We have provided a total of £10.2 million to support mental health charities. This includes charities which specifically support the mental health of children and young people like Young Minds and Place 2 Be.
- DfE has appointed Sir Kevan Collins, as Education Recovery Commissioner, to support the Prime Ministers commitment to working with parents, teachers and education providers to develop a long-term plan to help schools support pupils make up their learning over the course of this parliament. More immediately, we are making available £700m to put in place a range of additional measures to give early years settings, schools and providers of 16-19 education the tools they need to target support to their students.