Good Idea: Young carers awareness and ?training campaign

Provider The Carers Support Centre and Bristol Black Carers

Name Young carers support groups

Four Bristol secondary schools are piloting a programme aimed at identifying and supporting young carers in the city. Launched in September 2011, the scheme is now being expanded to primary schools. The initiative aims to increase the help young carers receive by training teachers to identify the signs of young people who may be caring for family members and encouraging young carers to come forward for support.

Backed by a £50,000 investment, the Bristol Carers Support Centre and Bristol Black Carers have been working with schools to help them identify carers among their pupils. In the first three months of the project 50 young people identified themselves as young carers. 

The Orchard School runs a programme for its year 7 pupils as well as a training package for staff.

Teacher Clare Robinson says: “We are now far more aware of the issues facing carers and are in a much stronger position to support them. We can offer extra time for homework, revision support, a card to present to teachers in class to avoid difficult situations, day trips and group work on building self-esteem, managing time and dealing with anger.”

It is estimated that there are at least 800 young people in Bristol who look after an adult or siblings at home. Finlay Lane, a 12-year-old pupil, says: “I care for my dad who has Scheuermann’s disease. I do things like helping him get into his wheelchair, cooking, getting drinks, helping go out into the garden and getting his medication for him. I feel tired a lot and it can be hard to fit in school work. The young carers project really helps. We meet together for an hour each week to catch up on homework and talk about how we are feeling. It is a relief to contact people in the same situation.”