Did you know this week is Carers Week 2018? Running from 11-17 June, this annual awareness campaign recognises and celebrates the contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers. This campaign particularly highlights the ways carers can stay healthy and connected, while building communities that supports carers and recognise they have health and well-being needs of their own.

Pledge your support

Take a look at the Carers Week wall of pledges from organisations and individuals who are stating what they are doing during this important time. You can get involved by adding your pledge.

Supporting young carers

FTCT has been helping young people who care for their parents, sibling or another family member by providing grants to help them take some time out for themselves. Typical grants given to young carers by FTCT include funding for respite activities such as dance and drama classes for a year or more - giving carers important regular time for an activity for themselves. Funding is available for educational support in the form of tutoring or computer equipment, enabling young carers to juggle their schoolwork with their responsibilities at home.

As with all the children and young people supported by FTCT, these grants are aimed at improving the well-being of young carers, in the hope of relieving some of the burden from their situation.

 

The impact of caring on young people

According to the Carers Trust report on young carers there are over 700k young carers in the UK who are supporting family members in various ways, from getting up at night and missing out on their own sleep, carrying out duties every day or providing emotional support for the family member they care for.

There’s no doubt the love and support they give is unconditional, but it can have a huge impact on a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence, as well as affecting their education.

Grants available for young carers

If you know someone who is currently affected by any of these issues and you think may be eligible to apply for a grant from FTCT, please contact the Grants team at FTCT on [email protected] or give us a call on 0300 123 9002.

 

A small grant from FTCT can make a big difference.