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Seventeen-year-old Rachel has been the primary carer for her younger brother Reuben, who is 13 and lives with autism and learning difficulties, for the past seven years. With both of their parents committed to long shifts in the NHS, Rachel often takes on the responsibility of looking after Reuben, particularly after school, on weekends, and during some school holidays. She describes the challenge of juggling her caring duties with academic demands, especially preparing for her A-level exams, explaining, “It does involve striking a balance between caring and revising and studying.” Rachel also notes how her commitments interfere with her social life, making it “really difficult to plan hangouts with my friends.”
The family found support four years ago when Rachel’s mother, Mili, learned about Cheshire Young Carers, an organization backed by Children in Need that assists young carers aged six to 18. The charity provides various programmes, including school holiday respite activities, individual and group support, and partners with educational institutions to offer specialized assistance tailored to these young carers’ needs. Mili recalls hearing about the charity from one of Reuben’s social workers and observed that Rachel initially seemed quite withdrawn and isolated. However, after engaging with Cheshire Young Carers, Mili noticed a significant transformation in Rachel’s confidence and overall outlook. She said, “After the first meeting, she came back home and she told me that she’s very grateful for a community like this.”
Claire Worth, representing Cheshire Young Carers, emphasized the importance of funding from Children in Need in identifying and supporting young carers early. “We have education officers that go into schools and help identify young carers at an early age,” she explained. This early intervention allows children to access programmes where they can take time for themselves, enjoy experiences without feeling guilty, and simply be children. This kind of support aims to provide carers with relief and a sense of belonging to a supportive community.
In addition to Cheshire Young Carers, other organizations benefit from Children in Need funding, such as Youth Action in Blackburn, Lancashire. Operating for 27 years, Youth Action strives to empower young people and address inequalities in their communities. Senior development officer Mevaish Mujahid highlighted the importance of this funding, stating, “The Children Who Need Funding is extremely important to us because it allows young people’s voices to be heard and it allows them to be able to work within their community to raise awareness on any topic they want.” One young participant, Abdullah, shared how engaging with Youth Action helped boost his confidence. “My mum wanted me to come here to gain my confidence because I was shy,” he said. “It’s going good, I’ve got a boost in my confidence that I can like talk publicly.” Additionally, TramShed, an inclusive theatre in Blackpool also supported by Children in Need, offers creative workshops that help young people develop life skills, confidence, and improve mental health. Eve Ellison, TramShed’s head of creative programming, explained the profound impact the theatre has on its participants, while Alice, a regular attendee, described it as “a really great place” where she feels accepted and confident
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