Marking Young Carers Awareness Day today, Scottish Government Ministers have announced additional support and engagement activities.
Minister for Public Health Aileen Campbell outlined an enhanced programme of events for young carers, which includes hosting the annual Scottish Young Carers Festival in two locations for the first time. And ahead of the introduction of a new Young Carers Grant by autumn 2019, Social Security Secretary Angela Constance has launched a recruitment campaign asking carers aged 16 to 25 to help design parts of the new Scottish social security system.
Speaking at Braes High School in Falkirk, Minister for Public Health Aileen Campbell said: “With positive changes ahead, including the commencement of the Carers Act and development of a new financial package of support for young carers, our exciting refresh of events will give young people a stronger voice and a chance to play a positive role in society.
“Plans include two one-day festivals in August, a showcase event and a focus on young carers at this November’s Carers Parliament which will give the opportunity to hear directly from our young carers throughout the Year of Young People.”
Speaking at Broomhouse Young Carers Group in Edinburgh, Ms Constance said: “Young Carers Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution young carers make to our society and we want to ensure that young carers feel that their voices are being heard.
“That is why we’re asking them to join our Young Carer Panel and share their invaluable real-life knowledge which will help us shape Scotland’s new social security system. This is the latest part of the Experience Panels programme, where 2,400 volunteers who have experience of the current social security system are helping design the new Scottish service.”
More information on Carers Parliament is available online.
More information on Young Carers Awareness Day available online.
Sign up information for the Young Carer Panel:
People can register online
Freephone: 0800 029 4974 (includes language line translation)
Text: Prefix 18001
SMS: 07467 447375
British Sign Language (BSL) users can get in touch online. More information is available at the Scottish Government Website
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