June/July 2007 - London Borough of Hillingdon

young people
Caring
for our
carers
© PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST FOR CARERS.
For most,
childhood is a
carefree time
when someone
is there to feed
us, take care
of us and
nurse us back
to health
when we’re
poorly.
Around 700 young people in Hillingdon care for a family member,
but 500 of these have never come forward for support.
Sadly this is not the case for around
700 young people in Hillingdon,
who are the primary carers of
family members struck down by
serious health problems.
A Young Carers’ Strategy, just
launched by the council with the
support of The Children’s Society,
addresses the fact that sadly, a huge
number of these exceptional
youngsters don’t realise they are
entitled to support. The
organisation, Hillingdon Carers,
helps around 200 young people
aged under 18, but from the 2001
census it is clear there are up to
500 others yet to be identified.
Young carers face the challenge
of achieving in education, as school
or college work can often take a
backseat when there are such huge
obligations at home. But as Cllr
David Simmonds, cabinet member
for education and children’s
services explains, the strategy aims
to address problems such as these.
“Young people shouldn’t be
expected to carry out the same
caring responsibilities as adults”, he
says. “We are working to support
them in minimising the impact of
these responsibilities, so that they
have the same opportunities in life
as other young people.”
From now on, young carers will be
included in developing new services.
Since the plan brings together all
existing organisations on hand to
14 year-old Sam
and 16 year-old
Louisa Baker from
West Drayton
share the
responsibility of
caring for their
mother,Terri,
along with two
younger siblings.
Terri is now a
wheelchair user,
having suffered
a serious illness
last September.
Sam and Louisa’s time is divided between
help young carers and their families,
their support will be vastly improved
and crucially, should lead to an
increase in referrals to the service.
schoolwork and looking after Mum, and they admit it can be a struggle. But
Louisa is keen to go to college in September, and Hillingdon Carers are
supporting the whole family to help make sure this happens, and that her
brother and sisters fulfil their potentials too.
Contacts
Left to right, Jo Brill, project manager at Young Carers,
Sarah Reese, Sam Baker, Louisa Baker and Joanne
Venn, who are all young carers themselves, and Paul
Coventry, project leader at Hillingdon Carers.
If you are a young carer or know someone that is please call Hillingdon
Young Carers on 01895 811206, or email office@hillingdoncarers.org.uk
Alternatively visit www.hillingdoncarers.org.uk
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June/July 2007