One year ago (March 2020) I wrote the short article ‘Young Carers and Coronavirus’. One year later for #YoungCarersActionDay , here is a brief update:
COVID19 and lockdowns have taught us all a lot about #young carers – their role and their needs, #socialdistancing … #mentalhealthawareness … #virtualfatigue … #boredom … #isolation … For some #youngcarers the impacts have been disproportionate. At just the time when the needs of many young carers increased, they lost their support network and became even more isolated. We have been challenged how to support them best.
Positively however, many young carer services rose to the occasion and pulled out the stops! Quickly and creatively they began to support young carers online in a wide variety of ways.
One thing I’ve learned from my #research is that #youngcarers (as we all do) need something to look forward to – and they need #hope. Having an activity and online support has been so important for young carers. Some of this support has been ‘Phygital’ and has combined the best of the physical with the best of the digital. For example, Action for Young Carers in Nottingham City ran a Family Cooking online with the help of a professional cook.
See this updated list of EXAMPLES OF PRACTICE to support young carers (in and out of lockdown).
Do Tweet me @youngcarersinfo any practice ideas you have or have implemented and I’ll add these to the list.
Daniel Phelps
March 16th 2021 (Young Carers Action Day)
Key related links
EXAMPLES OF PRACTICE to support young carers (in and out of lockdown).
Carers Trust survey on the impact of Coronavirus on young carers and young adult carers
Carers Trust Wales has published a set of guidelines to support young carers through the Covid-19 pandemic
Lockdown experiences: Being a young carer during Covid-19 : Alicia, 17, has written a blog about what being a young carer during lockdown has been like. Read here on the Children’s Commissioner’s website