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Young carers break the stereotype

The stereotype of a teenager is smashed every day in Warwickshire by the many young carers who spend much of their social life caring for a loved one.

To mark their efforts Warwickshire County Council Social Services has funded the Warwickshire Carers Project - with branches in South Warwickshire, Rugby, and Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire - to host a Young Carers Event.

This took place yesterday and was a celebration of being a young carer through art. During the day young carers from across Warwickshire worked with professional artists - digital photographer Tony Bodiner, poetry artist Dreadlock Alien, Nuneaton-based vinyl artist Alisha Miller and Samba artist Steve Brown.

Compton Verney was the venue for the event, thanks to the support of the Compton Verney House Trust, and the day saw each young person attending two workshops of their choice. There was a Christmas buffet lunch, and then a finale where all the artwork was displayed – and in the case of the Samba music, loudly performed.

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who cares for a family member with a disability, illness, alcohol or drug addiction, a mental health issue or HIV/AIDS.

Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Children, Young People and Families Services Marion Davis said: ``There is not a lot of coverage for these young people who have a huge responsibility in caring for a loved one, they can often feel invisible, and a day like today emphasises that they are not alone.

``It is important to recognise how much these children and young people give, and we all need to make sure that we recognise that they exist. This is a responsibility for schools and neighbours to identify young carers, and then to make sure the support is there for them.

``This event has been about showing these young people that they are not alone, mixing with other young carers, while also having an awful lot of fun.’’

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: ``It’s essential we support and recognise young carers so that they do not feel alone. This event has allowed them to meet with their peers, and to know that there are other children with lives similar to their own. It is then our role to ensure the support network is there for them.’’

For more information on the support available to young carers visit http://www.swcss.org.uk/youngcarers or call 01926 485486.