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Ffion Haf-Scott has been a young carer for her mother Lorraine since she was just four years old. Now, as she considers the possibility of attending university, the thought of leaving her mother behind terrifies her. Lorraine, who is 56 years old, suffers from diabetes, mobility issues, and mental health issues, making Ffion’s responsibilities even more crucial. These responsibilities include assisting her mother with personal care, medication, and emotional support.
In a recent revelation by UCAS application data, young carers made up 2.8% of undergraduate applications from Welsh 18-year-olds by the end of June. However, Ffion, an 18-year-old from Wrexham, initially felt unsure about pursuing higher education due to concerns about leaving her mother. She expressed her fears, stating, “To go my whole life looking after somebody and caring for them in so many different ways to then think about moving away from them and not being able to get to them within five minutes, that’s terrifying.” Despite her fears, Ffion sought support from the Reaching Wider carer mentoring scheme to explore her university options.
Similarly, Caitlin Jones from Llangyfelach in Swansea is embarking on a journey to study education and psychology with special needs at university. As a young carer responsible for her two brothers with autism, she feels torn between her responsibilities at home and her aspirations for university life. Caitlin highlighted the importance of addressing isolation among young carers and proposed the establishment of weekly group chats and catch-ups to alleviate this feeling. A 2024 UCAS report revealed that 69% of young carers were unaware of the available support at university or college, emphasizing the need for improved access to information.
Amy Cribb, an access coordinator at Swansea University, is actively involved in outreach sessions and a free summer school for under-represented groups, including young carers. With a focus on raising awareness and identifying young carers, Amy recognizes the necessity of informing them about the available support. Moreover, various universities such as Cardiff Metropolitan, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Swansea, University of South Wales (USW), University of Wales Trinity St David, and Cardiff University offer dedicated support, including bursaries and access to specialized services for young carers. Swansea University, for instance, provides a carers passport to facilitate necessary adjustments and extenuating circumstances for students facing caring responsibilities
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