Young carers feeling lonely during summer

New research has revealed that 72 per cent of young carers feel lonely during the summer holidays, with nearly half of those aged under 18 spending more than four hours a day during the summer caring for a relative.

Despite the hot weather and many families spending quality time tiger during the holiday period, one in five young carers revealed that they have never been on a summer holiday with their family. Because of the pressures of caring, 68 per cent feel more stressed or worried during the holidays; while 57 per cent worry about talking about what they did in the summer break when they go back to school.

Action for Children, the charity which conducted the research, believe that there are approximately 700,000 children and young people across the UK caring for a family member with a disability, illness or mental health problem. However, funded support for vulnerable young carers is not being appropriately prioritised.

Therefore, Action for Children and Carers Trust are calling on the government to ensure local authorities have the funding they need to provide all young carers and their families with support.

Carol Iddon, Action for Children’s managing director of children’s services, said: “The summer holidays can be heart-breaking for young carers who are often isolated and trapped at home, while their friends are having fun in the sunshine, playing sports or enjoying adventures abroad. We see first-hand the awful impact of loneliness and stress on young carers, who dedicate their lives to helping their loved ones. These children are often desperate for a break from their duties and to have a bit of fun in their holidays – that’s why young carer respite services are such a lifeline for them.”

Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: “oung carers often face significant challenges, and these don’t go away during the summer holidays as this research shows. Councils across the country work hard to make sure young carers are able to access the support they need, however with children’s services facing a £3 billion funding gap by 2025 and enormous challenges in the adult social care sector too, this is getting increasingly difficult.

“As our adult social care green paper launched this week highlights, unpaid carers of all ages need to be supported so that they can enjoy their lives in the way that they want to. We need a nationwide public debate about the future of care for all adults and it is important the voice of young carers is heard in that.”