WOKINGHAM YOUNG CARERS
We support over 100 young carers from Bracknell and Wokingham in Berkshire. These are young people, aged under 16, who, despite their age, have caring responsibilities in the home, often for a parent. These young people have often put their own lives on hold while they focus on helping their parent on a daily basis.
Berkshire Youth in partnership with Age UK Berkshire and Promise Inclusion, funded by Wokingham Borough Council started delivering the Wokingham Young Carers Service in April 2023.
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The service aims to better identify and provide support for young carers to develop emotionally and physically, as well as being able to take full advantage of opportunities for educational achievement and life success.
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Young people that care, and their family members, often hide their caring duties from relatives, friends, school/agencies and services through embarrassment, fear of interventions from the state that will result in the break-up of the family setting.
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This lack of identification means services that could potentially reduce that young person’s caring role, and the impact this role has on the young person, are not delivered to that family and young person.
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The charity seeks to empower young people to identify themselves as young carers, reduce the fear and stigma associated with being a young carer and increase the identification of young carers across agencies that will then increase the support offered to that young carer and their cared for person.
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Berkshire Youth is committed to providing the best possible support to young carers and their families across Wokingham Borough Council through a holistic three-prong approach, encompassing essential services in a child and family centred model: respite, family support and school support.
To find out more about supporting young carers please contact youngcarers@berkshireyouth.co.uk
