What is a Young Carer'?

A "Young Carer" is a child or teenager who undertakes care responsibilities beyond those generally considered appropriate for a person of their age. They care for parents, siblings and grandparents with a disability, chronic or mental illness.

The "Young Carer' considered most at risk are those caring for parents, particularly sole parents. In some cases children in these situations are caring on their own with little or no help.

What does a 'Young Carer' do?

'Young Carers' do everything an adult carer does. There are cases of children toileting parents, changing catheters, overseeing medication, cooking and cleaning. Children as young as nine have been known to get up in the morning, care for a parent with a severe disability, going home at lunch to care, returning to school for the afternoon and then going back home to care again. Others miss school if they feel they are needed at home.

What are the effects of caring?

Caring at a young age can have a huge impact on educational, social and emotional lives as well as implications for physical development, the quality of childhood and opportunities for the future.

The impact of caring on a child depends very much on the context in which it occurs. A child helping with the care of a beloved family member may gain strength and self esteem from the experience. A child struggling alone to carry out tasks beyond their strength can suffer permanent physical and psychological damage.

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In 1987 the Rotary Club of Hawkesbury decided to conduct a 4 day holiday camp for some of these Young Carers, to give them a break from their every day lives, and to meet and talk with many others in similar situations as themselves. Since then twice yearly in conjunction with Carers N.S.W. the Rotary Club has conducted camps for these children, 7-12 year olds and 12-17 year olds, with great success.

Some comments from our Carers at camp:

	I met other kids who have similar problems at home and everyone goes through the same stress at home as I do.
	Doing many things I have never done before and meeting people like me
	How to help control my anger
	That people do understand and care about us.

More information?

For more information, or donations please call:
Kerry White - Ph 02 4576 5424
Marilyn Mercer 0416 026848 e-mail mmm@myisp.net.au
internet (this site) http://rotarnet.com.au/hawkesbury_young_carers