Norfolk and Suffolk's young carers need better protection and support now
Caring Together want to give them a stronger voice and support network, beyond today's national awareness day
Young carers across Norfolk and Suffolk need better protection and support now, according to a local charity.
It comes as a survey to mark Young Carer's Action Day reveals how an alarming lack of support, coupled with a dramatic rise in time spent caring, is leaving thousands of young carers across the UK feeling ‘lonely’, ‘burned out’ and ‘stressed’.
Stats from Carer's Trust show more than half (53%) of the young carers (aged 18 or under) and young adult carers (aged 16-25) had to increase the amount of time they spend supporting siblings and parents in the last year.
And one in five of those reporting an increase said they were caring for as much as 20 to 49 hours more per week.
WATCH: Carer's Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh speaks to Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle about the survey findings
That's why Caring Together in our region have helped set up a new coalition of more than 30 organisations and individuals, which aims to give them a stronger voice and support network, beyond today's national awareness day.
The alliance will provide opportunities for information-sharing, collaboration and a stronger collective voice for young carers in Norfolk and Suffolk and those who support them.
Members include representatives from research, policy and practice, who will support young carers and their families.
The network includes Barnardo’s and The Children’s Society, as well as academics such as Professor Saul Becker.
Andy McGowan is Caring Together's head of engagement.
He told us how a local young carer feels let down by the system: "Ruby said she was born into the role of a young carer, she cares for her older brother who has autism.
"So, its all she's ever known, was how she described it. But actually it was only when she got to Secondary school that anyone actually identified her, so clearly there is a lot of work to be done in terms of identification of young carers in schools".
While another carer called George, faces a range of different challenges, like so many do locally: "One of the things that George really highlighted was the continued lack of recognition still.
"Even seven years on from these rights coming in for young carers and the greater focus there.
"They are saying that in the terms of their own physical and mental health, that can be impacted. While getting support for a person they care for can also be a challenge. All of this really impacts on their future opportunities".
Mr Gowan concluded by telling us that too many have slipped through the net so far and there could be grave consequences if nothing is done: "The average age of a young carer when they started caring was 7 years old.
"But on average, young carers were 10 years old when they were linked into support.
"So they went three years and to put that into context if a young carer was identified now they would have started caring for someone before Covid-19 was even a thing.
"There are also young carers who say they have been caring for over ten years without any support. If that doesn't get tackled, that will have significant impacts on their education, their physical and mental health, their future life and how their family is coping, as well".