It is import to begin by defining a young carer.
'Young carers are children and young people under the age of 19 years, who provide care to another family member, who has a physical illness/disability; learning disability; mental illness; sensory disability or has a problematic use of drugs or alcohol. The level of care they provide would usually be undertaken by an adult and as a result has a significant impact on their normal childhood'. (Young Carers; A Service Framework March 2003 - North West Quality Protects Reference Group).In 2005 The Education Network estimated that there were approximately 175,000 children and young people under the age of 18 who can be defined as young carers. Many reports have shown that caring for a parent or sibling on a regular basis, at this early age, can have a serious effect on young people's educational attainment, their friendships and social life and their emotional development as a whole. A study of young carers from 1997 identified that around a third of 5 - 15 year olds miss at least some school or experience educational difficulties due to their caring role. Young carers often find themselves isolated from their peer group because of the way their caring gives them a sense adult responsibility their friends find hard to understand, and because they find it difficult or painful to explain the nature of their relatives' illness or disability. The demands of being a young carer can also take up any free time they might have for socialising. Having an illness or disability in a household can often place economic, time and emotional restrictions on family life, whether or not this affects a parent. This can reduce young carers' possibilities for going on the same holidays and activities as their peers, or even just spending 'normal' time with their family.
The national estimate of young people who have a caring role within a family is estimated at around 30/40%.
In light of the above and the lack of services for young carers, a young carers service such as ours is fundamental to these young people.
24/7 Young Carers Project, provide a service to young carers between the ages of 8-19 across Manchester.
If you care for:
And
You are eligible to join our project.
We provide activity/recreation sessions for different age groups:
Other than the 16-19 years group. Sessions are based at Gorton Youth Centre, on a Saturday afternoon, but we sometimes do activities/workshops on an evening.
Activities include:
24/7 Young Carers Project also organise weekends away from time to time, eg residential outward bound weekends.
As well as all the fun things, for those young carers who are experiencing difficulties in certain areas of their lives, we try to provide other support, this may involve, for example, counselling, one-to-one work, groupwork, guidance, Advice and information.
If you wish to find out more about 24/7 Young Carers Project or wish to make a referral please contact Brenda Norford on Tel No. 0161 881 8116 or you can e-mail me on: brenda.norford@manchester.gov.uk
24/7 Young Carers Project was set up in November 2004 through Manchester Multi-agency Partnership for Disabled Children and Young People (MAP).
The project consists of the following:
24/7 Young Carers Project is mainly funded through the carers grant from the local authority. The project has also received additional funding through Awards For All and small local grants.
24/7 Young Carers Project will endeavour to deliver a service to young people who help care for a sibling with a disability.
We feel it is important that young people who are in a caring role are recognised for what they do. At 24/7 we will try to make their life a little easier.
We aim to support such young people by giving them some time away from their caring role.
We can offer a place to meet other young people in a similar situation.
We will support young carers by offering additional and appropriate support, eg counselling, one-to-one work, as well as giving them a fun time away from their caring role eg activity sessions, trips out, weekends away.
At 24/7 all workers and volunteers are committed to ensuring that the young people they work with are treated with respect at all times. Young people will be treated fairly and equally, regardless of their differences, eg physical abilities, background, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, education etc.
All workers and volunteers are police checked by the Criminal Records Bureau before they can do any work with a young person.
Our aim at 24/7 is to give the young carers a good experience, fun, support and a break from their caring role.
The information and images are the sole property of 24/7 Young Carers Project and should not be used or copied without our written consent.
MAP. Manchester Multi-agency
Partnership for Disabled
Children and Young People.
Young and Unique. Part of the Manchester Carers Forum, they provide regular forum meetings for young carers, access to services across Manchester and also run groups and activities.
Manchester Carers Forum exists to help carers of all ages to get heard.
42nd Street Counselling provide counselling together with other services.
ECLYPSE. A service for young people experiencing substance misuse.
YASP. A Young Adults Mental Health Support Project.
Connexions. Career guidance and advice support.
24/7 Young Carers Project, MAP, 102 Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9SZ | Tel: 0161 881 8116 | Fax: 0161 881 0051 | Email: © 24/7 Young Carers Project
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