Today (Wednesday 15th March) is Young Carers Action Day (YCAD). It’s an annual campaign day organised by Carers Trust Scotland with the aim of raising awareness of young carers and young adult carers and the immense contribution they make to their families and local communities.
YCAD also provides an opportunity to push for improved support for these children and young people at all levels. Martin Whitfield MSP has joined colleagues in welcoming the day and pledging his support for young carers.
This year’s theme is ‘Make Time for Young Carers’. This was chosen after Carers Trust spoke with hundreds of young carers and young adult carers, including at the Scottish Young Carers Festival in summer 2022. The one issue that kept coming up was just how important their health and wellbeing is to them.
Young carers told Carers Trust they think the things that would make them feel less overwhelmed, healthier and happier are:
- improved support in schools
- more access to breaks
- better access to counselling support
- and more financial support.
The charity’s new “Being a young carer is not a choice; it’s just what we do” research has just launched to coincide with Young Carers Action Day. The research identified the devastating impact of the cost-of-living crisis and increasing intensity of caring responsibilities on children and young adults.
Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“I welcome Young Carers Action Day and the important work Carers Trust Scotland undertakes across Scotland.
“Because of everything young carers need to do for their caring role on top of other parts of their lives, we know it’s easy for them to start feeling overwhelmed.
“That’s why this year’s theme is so important. It’s vital to make time for young carers and help them get the support they need to have a fair chance to prosper in all aspects of their lives.”
Find out more about Young Carers Action Day at https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day-2023/young-carers-action-day-2023-1