Wiltshire young carers take the lead

Wiltshire's young carers are taking the lead in sharing their experiences and organising training to improve support for their peers in everyday life and at school.

Wiltshire Council supports young carers who are balancing the challenges of growing up while also caring for a family member or someone who depends on them.

The council's Voice and Participation Service has worked closely with young carers to establish the Young Carers Council to ensure their voices are heard and help drive meaningful change.

Young carers have created a range of resources to help everyone understand their lived experiences. This includes videos raising awareness about young carers, and how they are creating meaningful change in Wiltshire, and the publication of the 'Voice of Young Carers' magazine to share their experiences as a young carer, fun activities which give them time away from their caring responsibilities, and local services who can support them.

In response to feedback from young carers, the service has introduced new support and training for secondary schools to work towards a Young Carers in Schools Award accredited by the Carers Trust and The Children's Society.  Schools are already signing up. The service is also launching training workshops to primary and secondary schools upon request. Schools can email YCIS@Wiltshire.gov.uk to learn more about how they can be involved.

The Young Carers Council is also prepare to mark Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday 12 March. This national day, led by the Carers Trust, calls for better support for young carers across the UK. This year's theme is 'Give Me A Break.'

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children Services said: It is so important that our young carers have a platform to share their experiences. No one truly understands what it is like to be a young carer except those living it - balancing schoolwork and additional responsibilities. It's important they have a voice, they can share experiences and receive the support they deserve. At Wiltshire Council we provide a range of support but there is always more we can do.

Wiltshire Council funds Youth Action Wiltshire which is working with Bath Philharmonia's Creative Learning Team to create a song with young carers based on the national day theme.  The project will emphasise the importance of rest and respite for young carers. The plan is to link the song to the Young Carers Assessment process and available support helping young people who have a caring role but are not currently registered as a young carer.