Young Carers Action Day: here’s how businesses can support young carers in Sandwell

16th March 2021

It’s Young Carers Action Day (Tuesday 16 March), a national event which aims to break any stigma associated with young carers and let them know they’re not alone. Here we share suggestions on how businesses can help.

We’ve gathered this information with support from Sandwell Young Carers, a charity that identifies and supports children and young people (aged five to eighteen years) whose health, education and social lives are affected as a result of caring for a dependant family member.

The Sandwell-based charity aims to ensure that young carers are recognised and valued, receive support for their caring role, and are safeguarded against taking on responsibilities which jeopardise their wellbeing and prevent them from achieving their full potential.

How do you define a ‘young carer’?

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who has a caring responsibility for someone who:

• Is chronically ill
• Has a disability
• Is experiencing mental ill health
• Is affected by alcohol and/or substance misuse
• Is elderly or infirm.

The young carer’s responsibilities will often be tasks normally associated with adulthood, including:

• Domestic chores
• Personal care
• Medical care
• Emotional support.

Young Carers Action Day

Young Carers Action Day (falling in 2021 on Tuesday 16 March) is an annual event organised by the Carers Trust. This year the scope of the day includes young adult carers, aged eighteen to 25. The theme is ‘Protect young carers’ futures’ and it aims to highlight the valuable skills developed through being a carer – such as time management, resilience and empathy.

Sandwell Young Carers wants to raise awareness of the young carers in our borough, ensuring that as many people as possible are able to identify, refer and support them.

Sandwell Young Carers is encouraging local businesses to help raise awareness. Examples of ways to do this in a business setting include providing all staff with training, implementing a young carers lead and creating a culture of openness.

Other ways include stimulating good conversation with families and advertising your organisation’s methods of support.

Sandwell Young Carers works with local businesses and professionals to do the above, offering training, confidential advice and guidance.

If you would like more information visit the Sandwell Young Carers website or call 07821 863604.