On the Coast – Families Issue 104 I February/March 2020 | Page 27

In many cases these young people and their families don’t even realise that they are a Young Carer grandparent or other parent. In some families, children as young as eight or nine have caring responsibilities. What is life like for a Young Carer? The impact of being a young carer can vary widely, depending on the situation. For some young carers, it can be a positive experience. They report feeling important and valued by their family and they enjoy the extra responsibilities and life experience gained through their unique situation. Often they feel a very special connection with the person they care for. But for many Young Carers, life can be challenging. To begin with, families and even the health professionals supporting them, often fail to notice and identify that a young person is in fact a carer. Many Young Carers, and sometimes even their parents, are reluctant to discuss their situation with people outside the family due to stigma, embarrassment or fear of interference from others. So many Young Carers struggle along in silence. They may find it difficult to complete school, TAFE or university assignments or be too tired to concentrate in class. They may be unable to join their friends for after school or weekend activities due to their responsibilities at home. Finances might be very tight or there may be no-one to teach older teens to drive, which will further limit their social and employment opportunities. Holding down a job can be difficult when they are perceived by their employer as being unreliable. Being a carer can be a lonely experience when it feels like no-one else understands. How can we all help? Pause for a moment to think about families you know, or perhaps even your own. Do you know of a young person taking on a primary or secondary carer role? And is that Young Carer being recognised and supported? A trusted family member, adult friend or teacher might be the best person to start the conversation with a Young Carer about how they are coping. They should choose a private moment, gently open up the topic of their caring responsibilities at home and most importantly – listen. For school students, it can be helpful to enlist support from the school’s Student Welfare Officer to ensure that students with caring responsibilities are being supported to manage the competing demands between home and school. This might mean extra time to complete assignments or homework, or allowing the student more regular contact during the day with the person they care for. It could also take the form of offering a more flexible approach to learning, dependent on the students’ situation. TAFE and some universities have programs in place to support Young Carers to complete their studies. There are also financial opportunities available for Young Carers to support them in continuing with their education, including the annual $3000 Young Carer Bursary. Social media can be a great way for Young Carers to connect with people their own age in a similar situation. Take a look at @carersnsw, @youngcarersnetwork and @ littledreamersaustralia on Instagram. To explore all of the supports and opportunities that might be available, Young Carers and their families can go to the following websites for more information; www.youngcarersnsw.org.au www.youngcarersnetwork.com.au www.littledreamers.org.au The Central Coast Local Health District’s Carer Support Unit helps Central Coast carers in-hospital and in the community all-year-round. You can visit them at our Carers Retreat at 91 Holden Street, Gosford or phone [phone]. The case studies in this article are not based on real people, however they are based on the real experiences of many Young Carers. These examples have been captured by the Carer Support Unit and have been integrated to form case studies in order to show how the caring experience can vary. INDOOR LASER-TAG CENTRE Family Friendly Entertainment NEW Mini UV Putt Putt & Family & Kids Escape Room Birthday parties Laserblast offers 6 great Party Packages to suit your needs CALL US TO MAKE A BOOKING Also available for Families, Groups & Vacation Cares, Large or Small. Rain, Hail or Shine. 4392 5278 www.laserblast.com.au Unit 6, 132 Chelmsford Rd, Charmhaven Now enrolling for 2020 Classes held at Terrigal for girls of all ages from only $6 per class. ½ hour Preschoolers Dance Class only $4. We also have classes for mums Physie is a combination of various dance types all choreographed by BjP Physical Culture to the latest, age appropriate music. Increase your confidence, fitness and flexibility while making new friends and having lots of fun. 1st lesson free for all new members Contact: Melinda Morris Phone: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.terrigalwoodportphysie.weebly.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 20 – ISSUE 104 27