Falkirk district youngsters make pizza ahead of Young Carers Action Day

Today (Wednesday) raises awareness about young carers and young adult carers, the challenges they face and the support they need.

An annual event, this year’s theme is Make Time for Young Carers and puts two important areas in the spotlight. Firstly, professionals and responsible adults need to make time to listen to the young people explain the challenges they face to understand the support they need. Then when they understand the support needed, make time to ensure it is put it in place.

Across the district, around 340 young carers are provided with support from Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre which has a base in the town's Bank Street. From there a team of people are ready to provide them with an escape route, even for a few hours, from their responsibilities.

This includes lots of fun activities, where not only can the youngsters spend time with people of their own age, but they have adults who they can talk to.

There are least 30,000 young carers in Scotland. Survey work by young carers services and Carers Trust Scotland show that one in five children in a classroom has a caring role, however, the number of young carers recorded across schools in Scotland is significantly lower.

Alice Wadkin, young carers involvement worker, said: “Many young carers find it a difficult to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress, with the right support being at school can be respite for a pupil who is a carer.

“For Young Carers Action Day this year we’ll be Making Time for Young Carers with some exciting group activities. We’ll also be sharing some brilliant stop motion animations created by our Young Carers’ Voice group.”The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 outlines that every young carer is entitled to their own statement – a personalised plan where they can tell of their hopes and aspirations for the future, as well as what support is needed to allow them to continue in their care role.

Alice added: “The statement is a record of a conversation between the young carer and a young carer worker. It will contain information about the carer’s own circumstances, caring role and create an action plan. Our young carers have also taken part in lots of different opportunities over the last year including the Scottish Young Carers Festival, organised by Carers Trust. In addition, our Young Carers’ Voice group had the chance to have their say and shape the Falkirk Carers Strategy 2023-26.”

To mark their annual day, the young carers were invited to pizza parties, hosted by the Carers Centre in partnership with Sustainable Thinking. These took place in the walled garden at Kinneil Estate in Bo’ness where the youngsters could have fun making – and eating – the pizzas.

To find out more about the Young Carers Project or the Carers Centre visit here or call 01324 611510.