New project: Promoting the mental health of Young Carers

Partnership for Children has successfully delivered mental health promotion programmes in schools for more than two decades. We now plan to pilot a project targeting young carers, aiming to help them develop social and communication skills, coping mechanisms and emotional resilience. 

There are c.700,000 young carers in the UK and the number aged 5-7 has increased by 80% over the past decade (Children’s Society, 2013). Young carers look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug and alcohol problem, providing physical help, taking on domestic responsibilities and providing emotional support. The anxiety caused by worrying about a relative or dealing with bereavement has a huge effect on young carers’ emotional wellbeing, with 38% having a mental health problem (Carers Trust, 2016). In 2018, the Local Government Association stated that, in the past week: 4 in 10 young carers reported feeling sad; 1 in 4 young carers reported feeling lonely; and 1 in 2 young carers reported feeling angry.

However, less than half of young carers (44%) feel they get enough help with their emotions and feelings (Carers Trust, 2019). In 2017, Barnado’s stated that, regarding carers aged under 8, ‘unfortunately there is very little support provision available for this age group.’

Many local authorities and charities operate young carers’ services, offering the chance to socialise, relax and access support. For this project, we will work with five young carers’ services in the UK, training them to deliver our mental health promotion programmes within their weekly support groups or to train teachers within schools that they support.

If you work with Young Carers and are interested in being involved in this project, please contact:

Hannah Craig – Project Manager, Partnership for Children

Hannah.craig@partnershipforchildren.org.uk

Phone: 020 8974 6004