Young Carers Action Day 16th March 2021 Celebration Hosted by YMCA Swansea

YMCA Swansea Young Carers Service is celebrating ‘National Young Carers Action Day’ on the 16th of March 2021 with a range of events for Young Carers, Families and Professionals. This year’s theme is ‘Protect Young Carers Futures’.

YMCA Swansea is a Youth and Community charity, based in the heart of Swansea City Centre, that provides support services to Children, Young People and Families across Swansea. We focus on providing young people with a safe, supportive environment where we can help fulfil their potential, so that they can belong, contribute, and thrive.

Commissioned to deliver the Young Carers Service in Swansea on behalf of Swansea Council, YMCA Swansea is providing tailored support to Young Carers between the ages of 8-18. This includes face to face, online, one to one, and group sessions, as well as trips, activities, advocacy, and signposting.

Councillor Elliott King, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Young people who care for relatives and friends are often unsung heroes who selflessly put others before themselves and make a very real difference to the people in their lives.

“Swansea Council will do all it can to support them and I’m very pleased that we are working with our partners at the YMCA to promote and implement the ID Cards which is just one of the ways we are doing this.”

YMCA Swansea are passionate about advocating on behalf of Young Carers and raising awareness so that ‘hidden’ Young Carers can be identified and supported. To drive these objectives, YMCA Swansea will be launching 4 new programmes on National Young Carers Action Day:

• National Young Carers I.D Card Scheme
• Online PSE Sessions
• ‘Understanding Young Carers’ – Agored Cymru Accredited Qualifications
• Young Carers Awareness Animation Films

  The National Young Carers I.D Card scheme is led by Welsh Government, Carers Trust Wales, Local Authorities, and Professional Bodies across Wales. YMCA Swansea & Swansea Council have been selected by Welsh Government as an early adopter, of the Young Carers Card scheme in Wales. Kate Cubbage, Head of External Affairs for Carers Trust Wales said, “Young Carers across Wales have long called for an ID card to help them get the recognition they deserve and the support they need. We are delighted that Swansea Council and YMCA Swansea are launching their ID card as part of the new national model this Young Carers Action Day and we look forward to every area in Wales having an IDcard by 2022”.

Recent data shows that there are approximately 800,000 Young Carers aged 5-17 in the UK and research by the Children’s Society suggests that there is 1 in 5 secondary school students that are providing some care in their home, with a third of these providing high levels of care.

ID Cards will enable young carers to access additional support in schools, recognition when picking up medication, the ability to accompany the ‘cared for’ at medical appointments as well as facilitate additional support.

YMCA Swansea is encouraging all schools in Swansea to implement and champion the scheme, so that staff can identify, refer, and support Young Carers in the way they need and deserve. Delivery of the ‘Understanding Young Carers’ accredited training is pivotal to this.

Julie Morgan, MS, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services said: “I want to express my thanks to all of Wales’ young carers and young adult carers for the fantastic support they give to family and friends in such testing times.”

“Even before the pandemic started we knew young carers and young adult carers faced numerous pressures whilst caring for someone. The past twelve months have shown us that unfortunately many people don’t know how to recognise, help or support a young carer.

“This national ID card scheme will give young carers a quick way to easily inform their teachers, supermarket staff, pharmacies or their GP surgery, that they look after someone. It will also help them access their rights under our Social Services and Well-being Wales Act 2014, including their right to a carers’ needs assessment.

“I am pleased that we are working closely with local authorities and Carers Trust Wales to ensure every area of Wales offers its young carers an ID card by 2022. By working together we can all deliver better support and recognition for young carers throughout Wales.”

YMCA Swansea have also successfully been delivering awareness sessions for both staff and pupils to use during PSE – and in light of COVID019, these materials have been adapted for virtual delivery so educators can use them in their online learning.

During lockdown Young Carers at YMCA Swansea have been working hard to design and create a bilingual Young Carers Awareness Animation Films, which was scripted, designed, and features Young Carers real life stories and experiences. This will be used as a tool to raise awareness of Young Carers in schools, training, and on social media platforms that will be launched on the 16th of March.

There will be a whole host of activities and online events throughout 15-19 March – if you, or anyone you know may be interested in finding out more or booking training – please feel free to contact:

Young Carers Co-Ordinator Egija Cinovska egija@ymcaswansea.org.u