Young carers become king for a day
Warwickshire’s young carers became Tudor kings and queens for a day when they took part in a special event, which was all about recognising their efforts.
Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who look after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, mental health issue or substance misuse problem. They take on practical and emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. A young carer may care for a parent or other siblings. Even if another adult is living in the household, the young person may still be the main carer.
Kendall Thompson, aged 17, from Leamington, was one of the young people at the event. With her sister, she looks after her mother, who has Usher’s Syndrome and whose vision and hearing is deteriorating. “We make sure there’s nothing lying around that she can trip over, and we both have jobs to do in the house. My sister is with mum during the day and when I get home I have cleaning to do and I also help her with things like reading the small print on jars, things she can’t see. Coming to an event like this was good, there are lots of people you can relate to and become friends with.”
Eliot Mucklow, aged nine, from Warwick, was one of many younger children at the event. He looks after his younger brothers when his mother is ill. “I play with them and try and keep them happy,” he said. “I enjoy it but it can be hard work.”
For many young people life is about growing up, going to school and socialising with friends. But for young carers life can mean growing up fast, facing extra challenges and feeling isolated when caring for a loved one.
With so many pressures, young carers have fewer opportunities to socialise, learn and take part in activities. In recognition of the county’s young carers, Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate funded the Warwickshire Carers Project ‘Young Carers Event’, which took place at Compton Verney on Friday 5th January. The Warwickshire Carers Project allows the young people to meet every fortnight as respite from their normal caring duties.
Thanks to the Compton Verney House Trust, more than 50 young carers drew their inspiration from the historic venue as they took part in workshops including ‘Kings and Things’ in which they created their own theatre production using period Tudor costume, ‘Poly-printing’ where they created prints based on the Folk Art collection, ‘Solid Still Life’ in which they transformed two dimensional paintings into 3D models, and ‘Mysterious Landscapes’ where they created abstract paintings based on the ‘Capability Brown’ landscape. The young people also enjoyed a special lunch before taking took part in a finale to showcase their work from throughout the day.
Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Children, Young People and Families, Marion Davis, said: “The care that young people give to a loved one is not widely acknowledged and young carers can often feel invisible. A day like today emphasises that they are not alone and that there are other young people who face similar challenges. It is important to recognise how much these children and young people give, and we all need to make sure that we support them and celebrate their efforts.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, cabinet member (Children’s Services), said: “This event has allowed young carers to meet with their peers, and to take part in activities that they might not otherwise get the opportunity to do. They face tremendous pressures and it is 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.