More than 8,000 people under 18 years old in Cumbria are providing unpaid Carer for a family member or friend - and this Young Carers Action Day (March 15) Carer Support Cumbria is asking people to ‘Make time for Young Carers’.

The theme of this year’s Action Day has come from Young Carers themselves, who have expressed their feelings at workshops and events.

Make Time for Young Carers highlights two things that Young Carers say are important to them - for professionals and responsible adults to make more time to listen to them and to put support in place to help them.

Angela Longrigg, CEO of Carer Support West Cumbria said: “We know that caring for someone at home can have a big impact on your own education, health and social life.

“Caring may affect your school work and ability to concentrate - and difficulty finding time to study or get to school on time because of the things they need to do as a Carer. And often, young Carers feel tired and stressed.”

From Spring this year (2023), young carers will be included on the school census return for the first time.

Schools are being asked to record on their census who their young carers are, and whether they were identified by the school or parent.

CEO of Carer Support Carlise and Eden, Dani Leslie said: “This will enable a much better picture of the number of young carers in schools, and also provides opportunities to use this data to monitor the attendance and attainment of young Carers.

"If young carers are not identified at an early stage, they often end up taking on inappropriate and excessive levels of caring responsibilities.

As part of Young Carers Action Day on March 15, the Carers Trust are asking individuals, organisations and MPs to pledge their support by signing the Young Carers and Young Adults Carers pledge on their website.

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The content of the pledge is based on the voices and experiences of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, as well as calling for changes to legislation and existing policy/guidance.