TWO THIRDS OF WELSH YOUNG CARERS FEEL LONELY DURING SUMMER HOLIDAYS

TWO THIRDS OF WELSH YOUNG CARERS FEEL LONELY DURING SUMMER HOLIDAYS

OVER A THIRD SPEND OVER FOUR HOURS A DAY CARING FOR FAMILY – THE EQUIVALENT OF A WHOLE WEEK


Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of Welsh young carers feel lonely during the summer holidays, according to worrying new research released today by Action for Children and Carers Trust.

The survey of young carers under 18 years old reveals that over a third (35 per cent) spend more than four hours a day during the summer caring for a relative – the equivalent of losing an entire week of their holidays(1).

And while many families are enjoying quality time together on a trip away, thousands of young carers are stuck at home – shockingly, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they have never been on a summer holiday with their family.

With so much time taken up caring for loved ones and less time to relax, nearly two thirds (63 per cent) feel more stressed or worried during the holidays; while half (49 per cent) worry about talking about what they did in the summer break when they go back to school.

There are an estimated 700,000 children and young people across the UK (2) caring for a family member with a disability, illness or mental health problem – some as young as five years old. Typically, young carers help with practical tasks around the home such as cooking, housework and shopping; physical care, such as helping someone out of bed; and personal care, such as helping someone dress.

Funded support for vulnerable young carers, such as respite services, continues to be put on the back-burner. Action for Children and Carers Trust are calling on the government to ensure local authorities have the funding they need to provide all young carers and their families with support. Without it these vulnerable children and families are left without help, which hugely affects young carers’ life chances.

Brigitte Gater, national director for Action for Children in Wales, said: “The summer holidays can be heart-breaking for young carers who are often isolated at home, while their friends are having fun in the sunshine, playing sports or enjoying family holidays.

“We see first-hand the awful impact of loneliness and stress on young carers, who dedicate their lives to helping their loved ones. These children are often desperate for a break from their caring responsibilities and to have a bit of fun in their holidays with friends – that’s why young carer respite services are such a lifeline for them.”

Giles Meyer, chief executive of Carers Trust, said: “Summer can be an incredibly difficult time for young carers who may feel more stressed, lonely or sad than usual, and long to have a summer holiday just like everyone else. Carers Trust know that too many young carers go without support over the holidays and our evidence shows that being a young carer is a risk factor for their mental health.

“Whilst our joint Young Carers in Schools programme provides many young carers with the support they need to do well during term time, this support doesn’t happen in the holidays when schools are closed; if local councils don’t step in, this can mean young carers need to do more caring over the summer.”

Case study: 12-year-old Oliver Davies from Bridgend is a young carer for his brother Leo, 9, who has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Oliver and his mum Hayley are his sole carers during the summer.

Oliver said: “Leo has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) so we need to be with him all the time. My mum and I have to be really careful due to Leo’s need to escape a situation when anxious or harm himself and others. I’ve learnt how to keep an eye on him and can spot dangers quickly in the house or when we’re out.

“I love my brother and it feels very normal to look after him and help my mum whenever I can, but I can feel very isolated in the summer holidays. We’re not able to have a holiday and even going out is very difficult. The young carer activities with Action for Children during the summer are often the only break I get.”

Young carer services offer carers a break from their caring responsibilities, as well as provide practical and emotional support to enjoy life and achieve, just like their peers. Projects often take them on day trips and residential breaks as well as help them access education and mental health services.

Media contact: Alastair Love at Action for Children – 07872 675688 – alastair.love@actionforchildren.org.uk
Out of hours: 07802 806 679 / mediateam@actionforchildren.org.uk