The Rotary Club of Towcester Local Young Carers We have great respect for these children, who have to look after their parents and we support the Northamptonshire Young Carers charity by taking some of the children from the Towcester area for outings, so that they can let their hair down for a day. This year we split them into two groups: - up to 12 years and over 12 years. So what is a Young Carer? Aged 5 – 18 years- average age =12 Caring for someone in their family who has an illness or disability Assuming a level of responsibility usually taken on by adults. 2001 census – estimates that there are 175,000 in England & Wales – Princess Royal Trust estimate this is nearer to 1 million What does a YC do? Physical/practical care: housework, cooking, shopping, help with – bathing, dressing, toileting, supervising medication, interpreting, escorting, childcare. Emotional care: staying in to be there for someone instead of going out socializing. Worrying about someone while at school. Listening. Trying to ‘cheer’ someone up. Impact of being a YC: School – attendance, poor concentration, not able to do homework, sometime do not get much parental support. Work issues – logical follow on if experienced problems at school Emotional & behavioral difficulties Bullying Poverty