Young Carers Action Day: Ensuring Every Child Gets a Childhood
Young Carers Action Day is an annual national campaign led by Carers Trust, held each March to raise awareness of young carers and the challenges they face. The day encourages communities, organisations and individuals to recognise the vital role young carers play and to take action to ensure they receive the support they need.
A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who helps care for a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition or substance misuse issue. Their responsibilities can include practical tasks like cooking, cleaning and helping with medication, as well as providing emotional support.
Across the UK there are an estimated one million young carers. While many young people take pride in supporting their families, caring responsibilities can also have a significant impact on their lives. Balancing school, friendships and hobbies alongside caring can affect their education, wellbeing and social opportunities. Young Carers Action Day shines a light on these realities and calls for greater understanding and support so that young carers have the same opportunities to learn, grow and thrive as their peers.
Support for young carers in Norfolk
In Norfolk, Young Carers Matter Norfolk, a service delivered by Voluntary Norfolk in partnership with The Benjamin Foundation, supports young people under 19 who help care for a parent, grandparent or sibling. The service takes a whole-family approach, offering tailored advice, mentoring, activities and practical support to help young carers manage school, wellbeing and their caring responsibilities. Through one-to-one support, group activities and opportunities for respite, the service helps reduce the pressures young carers face and gives them space to connect with others who understand their experiences.
Clare Pedersen, who oversees the young carers service at Voluntary Norfolk, said:
“Young carers often take on huge responsibilities at a very young age. While many are incredibly proud of the support they give their families, it can also mean missing out on parts of childhood that others take for granted. Young Carers Action Day is an important opportunity to recognise their contribution and remind them that they are not alone. Through Young Carers Matter Norfolk, we work to reduce some of the pressures they face, give them time to focus on themselves and make sure they have the chance to enjoy their childhood and achieve their potential.”
This year there is a special focus on the new Young Carers Identify Passports which are being rolled out across Norfolk. These cards ensure that carers do not have to keep telling their story to professionals, e.g. teachers and medical staff, but instead can get the support or services they need more quickly.
Ultimately, Young Carers Action Day is a reminder that with the right recognition and support, young carers can thrive, because every child deserves a childhood!
