Halton Borough Council and Halton Carers’ Centre are aiming to make sure young carers get the help they need and deserve, in the lead up to Young Carers Awareness Day on Thursday 26 January.

All Halton schools are being sent awareness posters and information to be put up on noticeboards and activity ideas offered by the Carers Trust will also be given as they may wish to carry out these activities in small groups on the day.

Pupils can be signposted to services offered for them by Halton Borough Council.

Schools are encouraged to apply for the national ‘Young Carers In Schools Award’. If your school would like more information or support to apply for the award please contact Janice Maddison 0151 511 6222 Halton Carers Centre 01928 580182

Halton Young Carers Team and Young Carers from the Spoken and Heard group will be hosting a stall at Runcorn Asda superstore on January 26th to raise awareness of young carers.

There will be information about where you can get help, access support or how you can get involved so come along and find out more!
If you would like more information please contact Halton young carers team on 01928 580182

Young Carers Awareness Day is a national day of recognition for the 700,000 young carers in the UK.

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “We want Young Carers Awareness Day (or YCAD) 2017 to be a day where everyone recognises the challenges that young carers face.

“We want people to understand how difficult it can be for young carers to realise their hopes and dreams for the future unless they have the right support in place.

“This year’s theme is ‘When I grow up’ and it’s all about helping young carers to achieve their dream jobs or career, and we want everyone to be a part of it.

“We’ll be highlighting how some of the 700,000 young carers across the UK are caring for their sick or disabled mum, dad, brother or sister and how it is impacting their lives.”

You can follow hashtag #YoungCarersAwarenessDay

‘Brighter Futures’, Halton’s Young Carers Strategy 2016-2019 includes local and national resources for young carers and is also a celebration of Halton young carer’s achievements.

Strategy Board Chair, Janice Maddison, of Halton Borough Council, said: “We have some great young carers in Halton who work with us to shine a spotlight on the young carers role and show that this does not need to get in the way of young people’s aspirations and hopes for the future.”

“We know there are lots of young carers out there who still remain hidden and we would encourage you to step forward – speak to any adult or worker you feel comfortable with, maybe a teacher, youth worker, someone from a local children’s centre or check out the contact numbers in ‘Brighter Futures.

“The Carers Centre and local groups such as the Canal Boat Project and The Studio have lots going on and if you are struggling with your caring role can help you get to any additional support you might need.”

If you are a young carer or a professional wanting to know more about young carer services please contact the Young Carers Team at the Carers Centre on 01928 580182

Who are young carers? https://carers.org/sites/files/carerstrust/ycad2017-whoarethey_a3poster.pdf