Gwynedd and Ynys Môn young carers join ID card initiative on Young Carers Action Day

• Young Carer ID card for schools, health professionals and retailers to recognise extra responsibilities.
• North Wales developing ID partnerships ahead of Wales roll-out.

Gwynedd and Ynys Môn young carers have come together with the other 4 counties in North Wales to launch an ID card for young carers.

The national young carers ID card is being developed to identify and raise awareness of young carers as well as provide recognition of their important and often invisible caring role. The aim of this national initiative is to help young carers, 18 and under, get access to the right support at the right time; for example, if a young carer was identified using their ID by a teacher, doctor or pharmacist, they would know how best to support that young carer.  There will be a phased roll-out of the national ID card, with all local authority areas in Wales having launched their card by April 2022.

Ynys Môn and Gwynedd Young Carer services supports young carers aged 5 – 18 by raising awareness, identifying and providing direct support to children and young people who look after or help to look after someone in their family who is unwell or disabled, including children caring for parents who have mental health or substance misuse problems.

Maria Bulkeley, Service Team Leader for the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn young carer services said: ‘I’m delighted our young carers have been part of developing the ID card and participated in this important event.  Young Carers Action Day is the perfect day to launch this initiative and raise awareness of the help and support that is out there for young carers across North Wales.

‘Covid-19 has also impacted young carers significantly, as they have faced a growing number of challenges as a result, including an increase in their caring responsibilities, isolation, stress and balancing keeping on top of school or college work. The pandemic has also seen an increase in some young carers seeking formal means of identification to enable them to access essential foods and medicines more easily.  Having their young carer status recognised in this way will help reduce the anxiety a young person can feel when facing responsibilities their peers just don’t have.’

Jasmine (13), a young carer in Gwynedd, said: ‘For me being a young carer can be hard at times but also rewarding at the same time. It has given me experience for skills I’ll need when I’m older. I’ve struggled a lot during covid mainly with my mental health, similar to my mum whose physical and mental health has got worse during the pandemic. The young carers ID would be beneficial for young carers because we won’t have to explain things to people such as a pharmacist anymore and people would recognise it more rather than think it’s a lie.’

Charlotte (13), a young carer on Ynys Mon, added: ‘Being a young carer makes me take time to help my sisters who need support.  During Covid it’s been difficult with my sisters as they’ve both been out of routine and we’ve not been able to do the things we did before Covid.  The ID card will help me if I need to get something for my sisters or if I can’t come to school due to something at home.’