It is estimated that there are at least 376,000 young adults aged between 16 and 25 who care for a family member or friend.
January 26 marks Young Carers Day and Scottish social care charity, Cornerstone, is raising awareness of young adult carers who care for a family member, often to the detriment of their own education and social life.
Cornerstone runs the In Your Corner service for young adult carers in Edinburgh, which offers advice and support for anyone in this position due to the illness, mental illness or disability of a family member or as a result of drug and alcohol abuse.
With so many young adult carers across the country, there is likely to be one in almost every school, university and workplace and the pressure of their caring responsibilities can often have a negative impact on a their progression into adulthood and a recent BBC study estimated that one in 12 secondary school pupils are a carer.
Time restrictions, emotional and physical dependencies and bullying are just some of the consequences that caring can have on a young person. At a time where transition is vital, young adult carers can often be lost within their role and their potential of progression is hindered.
One young adult carer who is supported by Cornerstone said: “I left college two months after I started. No one ever asked me if I was a carer. I physically couldn’t manage and I couldn’t afford to stay on.”
Sian Jones, project worker at In Your Corner, said: “Unfortunately, young adult carers are often overlooked by statistics and support networks as they may not feel there is any value in identifying themselves as carers to school or college. There are also many young adult carers that don’t know they are carers because it is something they have always done. This means they are not receiving the support which is available to them.
“At In Your Corner we can provide one-to-one support with a specialist project worker, group sessions to help connect young adult carers, information, advice and training to allow carers to balance the needs of the person in their care with their own needs and personal development.”
Cornerstone provides care and support services for adults, young people and children across Scotland with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and other support needs.
Since 1980, Cornerstone has grown to support more than 2,200 people each year, delivering services within 18 local authority areas across Scotland. More information on Cornerstone can be found by visiting www.cornerstone.org.uk
Anyone seeking further information on In Your Corner can call 0131 458 9860 or email IYCenquiries@cornerstone.org.uk