‘Three-quarters of young carers feel isolated in summer holidays’

THREE-QUARTERS OF young carers feel isolated and lonely during the school summer holidays, research by a children’s charity has found.

Action for Children and Carers Trust say their research of under-18s reveals nearly half spend more than four hours a day during the summer caring for a relative – the equivalent of losing an entire week of their holidays.

And while many families enjoy quality time together on a trip away, thousands of young carers are stuck at home – with one in five saying they have never been on a holiday with their family.

Georgia Fawcett, inset, 13 of Elmet near Leeds, began caring at the age of seven for her mother Sarah. She said: “I stay at home a lot through the summer holidays which can be hard as there’s a lot to do. I occasionally see friends but not very often. “Friends don’t understand what I’m doing which is hard. Most people my age aren’t in the same position which was confusing for me when I was younger as I had different priorities.” The trust’s survey also found more than two thirds feel more stressed or worried during the holidays, while more than half worry about talking about what they did in the summer break when they go back to school. Despite the statistics, funded support for vulnerable young carers, such as respite services, day trips or residential breaks, continues to be lacking according to Action for Children and Carers Trust which are calling on the government to ensure local authorities have the funding they need to provide all young carers and their families with support.

Miss Fawcett added: “The trips organised by Action for Children give me the chance to talk to teenagers who are dealing with the same challenges as me. It makes me feel that I’m not alone or the only one doing this.”

Giles Meyer, chief executive of Carers Trust, added: “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 young carers with support during term time, this doesn’t happen when schools are closed; if local councils don’t step in, young carers need to do more caring over the summer.”