ONE in 12 children, in Gloucestershire, some as young as five are carers

 

Teen carer talks about a day in the life of looking after a loved one

Friday, July 22, 2011

 

 

 

ONE in 12 children, in Gloucestershire, some as young as five, are taking on the role of caring for a family member or friend who has a disability or illness. Here, carer OWEN KNIGHT, from Ashchurch, near Tewkesbury, writes about how too many of them are unrecognised… I AM 14 years old and currently studying for my GCSEs.

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      RAISING AWARENESS: Young carer Owen Knight, 14, from Tewkesbury, said carers may not be getting the support they need

 

But as well as going to school and doing my homework, I also have to look after my Dad Richard who has ME.

Known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, and fybromyalgia, this illness makes people suffer from very painful muscles and joints, poor memory and concentration levels, very low energy levels and poor immune system.

This has resulted in my dad not being able to work. The caring involves many day-to-day chores such as washing up, occasionally cooking dinner, mowing the lawn and generally helping out around the house and checking if my dad is okay.

Another downside is that my dad and I can’t exactly have family trips out because he gets tired very easily and can normally only cope with one trip out a week to do the shopping.

This is just mine and my dad’s experience of coping with the condition but many people suffer from it in worse ways; some people cannot get out of bed at all whereas some may need the support of a walking stick.

Other young carers have to care in different ways such as helping them wash themselves and some may have to help in lifting things.

Young carers are not recognised and that they are not getting the help they need.

Gloucestershire Young Carers are a charity that helps young carers around the county, taking the weight of their shoulders by giving them time out of the house to do fun activities such as ice skating, drama sessions and parties.

There is also a forum that is established within the charity and they bring up issues involving young carers.

For example they have recently been meeting up with MPs and raising a issue about young carers not being recognised in schools and chemists.

This is raising awareness and getting the message through to MPs and getting them to get the message across to others.

Young carers can feel that they are not noticed when they are going about their chores, such as getting prescriptions, so the group is working together with the NHS so they can help give advice to young carers.

Personally I find that this is a fantastic charity and it has helped me in many ways such as meeting new friends and getting the help I need. It’s a very good atmosphere and everybody is really friendly.

As well as us raising awareness we also need other people to help us out too.

It can be in anyway possible, big or small. A simple way could be passing the message on to your friends about this story.

We would be very grateful for your help and support.

If you have any ideas or questions about the charity you can visit www.glosyoungcarers.org. uk or call 01452 733060.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Teen-carer-talks-day-life-looking-loved/story-12987475-detail/story.html