Guidebook for young carers
A NEW book and website giving advice and hope for young carers will be the subject of a talk tonight (Thursday June 29) at the North Argyll Carers Centre in Oban.
The author Mike Raynor, a young carer himself while growing up near Oban, published his book Guidebook for Young Carers this year, and launched a website www.youngcarer.info, to support under-18s who provide care for others.
The guidebook can be accessed for free on the website, and Mike is also giving a talk on this evening from 7- 8pm at the North Argyll Carers Centre on Albany Street, Oban. The book is based on Mike’s first-hand experiences as a young carer, and describes the challenges he faced, as well as giving advice and hope for present day young carers.
Mike, who lived in the Oban area between the ages of two and 18, told The Oban Times: ‘My father was the gardener at Achnacloich Gardens, but tragically he committed suicide when I was 12 years old.
‘My mother has chronic mental health problems and following Dad’s death I received no support from family or medical and social work professionals. I had to provide considerable support throughout the remainder of my childhood and I had some very difficult experiences.
‘Despite the challenges of my situation, I was appointed Oban High School Boys Captain in 1990/91, and I played rugby for Oban High School and Oban Lorne.
‘After school I studied at Dundee University, served as an army officer (including several tours in Northern Ireland), and then served as a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ceasefire Monitor in Sudan, Georgia and South Sudan. I then returned back to the UK, worked in several roles and then started my own business five years ago. I am now married with a young daughter.’
Hoping his story can help other young carers, Mike published his book and launched his website earlier this year to offer advice to young carers with the challenges they might face. The book has already achieved sales in the UK and US.
The presentation at the North Argyll Carers Centre is open to anyone who may be interested, and might particularly appeal to young carers, adults carers or people who support carers.
You can find out more on Mike’s website, or via the North Argyll Carers Centre.