Young Carer’s Take a Break
This year’s national theme for Young Carer Action day was ‘Take a Break’ to encourage young carers to take time for themselves. On Wednesday 2nd April the Creative Youth Network and Bristol and South Gloucestershire’s Young Carer’s Service celebrated this theme. Eight students who were part of Fairfield’s young carer’s community attended and found the day extremely valuable. The day included workshops that covered a range of activities from football with Bristol Rovers, to video editing, and wellbeing to help young carer’s understand their own emotions.
Young carers from Bristol had the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences with a panel of Bristol decision makers, including representatives from Bristol City Council. The day ended with the chance for young carers to get to know the range of support on offer in the city from charities, post-16 options, and career and apprenticeship opportunities.
A Year 8 student shared her experience:
“It was very fun; it definitely made me feel like I wasn’t the only one. It was a fun and great opportunity that I am glad I took part in. I definitely recommend it to other young carers. It was also a very interesting experience and there was good food and very nice people.
“It was nice being able to talk about the problems and benefits young carers face.
“It definitely made me and others feel heard and seen by attending.”
Fairfield is committed to supporting its young carer community and making sure that they are able to attend opportunities such as this. A young carer is somebody under 18 who cares regularly for somebody at home because of a mental illness, physical disability, chronic illness or substance abuse.
If anyone believes their child is a young carer, or if they are unsure, please contact our young carer support worker Amy Hornsby.
