New survey identifies that young carers need a break
Carers Trust Scotland calls for more support for young carers after survey finds many feeling stressed, lonely and worried
- More than one in five (22%) of young carers and young adult carers responding said they feel unable to take a break from caring and 31% don’t get enough rest or time for themselves.
- More than half (54%) of young carers and young adult carers that responded said the amount of time they spend caring per week had increased in the past year
- At least a third of respondents said their caring role resulted in them either ‘always’ or ‘usually’ feeling ‘worried’ (36%), ‘lonely’ (33%) or ‘stressed’ (42%)
- 47% of young carers and young adult carers responding to the survey said they ‘never’ or ‘not often’ got support from their school, college or university in balancing study with their caring role
Findings from a new Carers Trust survey reveal how an alarming lack of support, coupled with a dramatic rise in time spent caring, is leaving many young carers across Scotland feeling ‘lonely’, ‘exhausted’, ‘worried’, ‘burned out’ and ‘stressed’.
The findings were published to mark Young Carers Action Day, an annual event led and organised by Carers Trust to raise awareness of young carers and the challenges they face.
Carers Trust recommendations
Carers Trust Scotland is responding to the survey findings by calling for action to address isolation among young carers and young adult carers. Recommended action includes:
· More commissioned breaks and respite for young carers and young adult carers. Carers Trust Scotland are calling on Scottish Government to introduce a right to access the regular breaks they need to support positive wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and live a fulfilled life alongside caring.
· The Scottish Government to do more to monitor how local authorities are meeting statutory duties to identify and support young carers.
· Education providers, whether schools, colleges or universities, need to take a more integrated and collaborative approach to support. This includes working in partnership with the NHS, local authorities and local carer organisations.
Survey Findings
More than half (54%) of the young carers (aged 18 or under) and young adult carers (aged 16-25) responding to the survey had experienced an increase over the last year in the amount of time they spend supporting siblings and parents with care and support needs.
And one in five of those reporting an increase said they were caring for as much as 20 to 49 hours more per week.
Even before Coronavirus, pressures on the health and social care services meant increasing levels of caring responsibilities were falling too heavily on young carers’ shoulders.
The impact of this overwhelming burden of responsibility was made clear in many of the written responses to the survey.
One young carer said: “I’m more stressed and anxious and I just feel like I need a break”.
Another said: “It’s too much pressure and responsibility for something I didn’t choose.”
And a third young carer revealed: “It affected my friendships as they didn’t understand why they couldn’t come inside the house.”
Coronavirus exacerbates existing pressures on young carers
Those pressures have been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic. Many essential services for those being cared for by young carers were closed because of lockdown. That left young carers and young adult carers to take on even further caring responsibilities.
And while the pandemic is moving into a less acute phase, Covid continues to negatively impact the lives of young carers and young adult carers across the UK. As a result of the pandemic the survey that:
- 59% said they felt more stressed
- 52% said they felt less connected to others
- 46% said their education was suffering
- 44% said their mental health is worse
- 41% said they were concerned about their future prospects.
This sense of anxiety in a context of loneliness and isolation is revealed in just a few of the written responses:
‘I never got a break in almost 2 years, I worked hard to keep mum out of hospital as I was scared what would happen if she went in. I never get any thanks or praise for what I do …”
“Feels never ending, I’m getting angry all the time with the person I care for although they haven’t done anything because I feel so on edge unable to have a break or get away.”
“My mental health is awful, and I really struggle to take time for myself at home. The only time I have away from my family is at school but I don’t even like going to school because I get so nervous for everything and I’m always so exhausted.”
Responding to the survey findings, Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: ‘These stark findings underline the plight of young carers. Too many are left unsupported, struggling to access the services they need with knock on effects to their education, mental health and well-being.
“We need more investment in social care generally and local care organisations specifically to relieve young carers of the overwhelming pressure so many are under.
“In addition, the NHS must ensure its mental health services prioritise young carer support. Otherwise young carers will continue to be left alone to cope with complex problems and responsibilities that would overwhelm most adults, let alone young people.”
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