‘A break and rare chance to be a child’

Young carers in Perth and Kinross have been celebrated for the incredible work they do, to mark National Young Carers Awareness Day.

Across the region an army of young brave souls do daily what they feel they need to do - look after a parent, sibling or vulnerable relative.

In Perth, PKAVS celebrated National Young Carers Awareness Day yesterday (Thursday, January 30) and gave the PA an opportunity to go along to a respite group for young carers to meet some of these remarkable young people.

We met kids as young as nine, who have an extra burden to carry on top of just growing up and going to school.

Raymond Jamieson, Carers Hub manager, said: “Young carers often have no choice but to take on responsibilities that would usually be associated with an adult.

“This can impact greatly on the young carers’ childhood and often many of the things that their peers take for granted, such as socialising with friends or participating in hobbies or interests, aren’t accessible to them.

“These responsibilities can also greatly impact on a young carers’ educational attainment and for many, they leave school having not achieved their educational potential. This has an obvious detrimental impact on them going into adult life.

“Respite is the most important support PKAVS offers young carers.

“It allows them a chance to get a break from what can often be an allencompassing caring role. A chance to meet and make new friends and create peer support groups. A chance to try new things and learn new skills that may not otherwise be available to them. A chance to know there are others experiencing what they are experiencing. A chance to know that there are people who do care and will listen to how they are feeling.

“Most importantly, it allows them a chance to be a child.”

Last March, PKAVS opened the first ever dedicated Carers Centre in Perth and Kinross, located on Lewis Place in North Muirton.

As well as providing vital support and opportunities for carers of all ages, it has facilities for young carers to relax and spend time with others their age, gaining valuable respite from their caring role, as well as getting support to help them with their schoolwork and academic achievement.

To find out more contact PKAVS on 01738 567076.

Young carers often have no choice but to take on responsibilities