Providing care for family, friends and loved ones is hard no matter how old you are, but it can be especially tough for younger people who find themselves thrust into a caring role and who might not necessarily have developed the level of emotional resilience required to ensure that they can provide this care without compromising their own health and wellbeing.
That’s why we’re especially pleased to hear that the theme for this year’s Young Carers Action Day is Give Me A Break, shining a spotlight on the importance of rest and respite for young carers.
Taking place on March 12th, the 2025 event – organised and led by Carers Trust – aims to raise awareness about who young carers are and why they need more support to help prevent burnout and severe psychological distress.
It’s essential that you take the time away from your caring responsibilities to rest and recharge, focusing on yourself and other areas of your life, whether that’s engaging with your favourite pastimes, spending time with friends or something else.
The theme for 2025 also calls on employers and education providers to ensure that young carers are given the breaks they need, with more support available at school or at work so that people can juggle schoolwork or their job with caring more effectively.
Carers Trust is now urging organisations, communities and individuals to take part in the day by supporting and raising awareness of young carers so they can handle the different challenges they face, important given that studies repeatedly show that many people are disadvantaged in various areas, including finances, education, employment and mental and physical health.
What challenges do young carers face?
One of the biggest issues facing young carers is the fact that many of them don’t identify as being a carer in the first place, which means they’re less likely to ask for support, don’t know what support is available and don’t always know how best to ask for it.
It’s also very common for young carers to hide their caring role amid fears about what intervention could mean, particularly when mental health conditions or addiction are involved.
Compounding this is the fact that many young carers have had difficult or complicated experiences with public services themselves, which can be a deterrent when it comes to sourcing the appropriate support.
What support is there for young carers?
As well as speaking to friends, relatives, your school or your place of employment about any problems you’re having, it could also be beneficial to use a free and confidential helpline like Childline. Here, you will be able to source advice and help, without having to worry that anyone will know you’ve called them.
You can also request a visit from a social worker who will also be able to help, or you could talk to your GP, school nurse, a counsellor or a local mental health nurse.
And, of course, you can always talk to the team here at Concept Care. We can help you with a raft of concerns, including arranging respite care if you need a break. Give the team a call today to find out more.
