News | Young carers


downsmail.co.uk Young carers, hidden heroes


TALKS are being held to extend a helping hand to the growing army of young carers looking after loved ones at home. Crossroads Care Kent, in Maid-


stone, set up a division 15 years ago specifically to support young car- ers in the area – some as young as five. Knownwithin the care systemas


the country’s “hidden heroes” – facing the physical and emotional challenge of caring for a family member at home – that number is now as high as 10,000 in Kent but that number may, in reality, be much higher. The national figure is estimated


at 700,000 with the average age of a carer being 13. InwestKent,CrossroadsCare of-


fers respite and support to 170 youngsters, and has a waiting list of nearly 60. Jan Hall leads the youth team


from the charity’s headquarters in Wateringbury, operating six youth clubs for young carers at centres in Shepway and Senacre. She said: “These young carers are hidden be- cause there is no affective systemto identify them and many don’t see themselves as carers, but simply helping out after school.As a result we are only aware of around a quarter of youngsters caring for a familymember unsupported.” Currently, most young carers


are referred to Crossroads by their school, often as a result of absence,


Froma carer to a youth leader


JAMES Marshall (pictured), from Barming, spent his teens looking after hismum, who had lupus. On bad days, before and after school, she needed help to the bathroom, with cooking and domestic chores. Now, aged


26, James has turned again to


Cross-


roads, which saw him through this difficult time, to become a youth leader. We met up


with him at the young carers’ club in Shepway, where more than 40 carers enjoy the freedom to play pool, use the gym and socialise twice amonth. He said: “My experience means


I’mpretty approachable andwhile some choose to talk, most are happy just to be with others in the same situation.”


12 Malling February 2018


Crossroads youth teamleader Jan Hall, right, wth young carers Sam, Katrina, Alfie, Keira and Ellie


Funding is key to rolling out a


service throughout the county CROSSROADS Care Kent is in exploratory talks to extend its youth serv- icemodel programme to other parts of Kent – but funding will be cru- cial. The organisation receives no statutory support and relies on volunteers, grants, donations, fundraising and Children in Need to meet its annual running costs of around £85,000. Anyone interested in finding out more about the service can contact Jan Hall on jan.hall@crossroadswest.org or on 01622 817114.


Crossroads offers young carers likeMegan, Keira, Lauren and Freya, above, support and advice


arriving late or demonstrating be- havioural problems. Jan said: “These children often


feel alone and many come with is- sues such as eating disorders, anx- iety, panic attacks and self-harming because they have no outlet to dis- cuss their circumstances and are unawarewe are here to help.”


However, for those lucky


enough, advice, day trips, sign posting, respite care and youth clubs are making huge inroads when it comes to bridging the gap between isolation and support.


Reporting by Dawn Kingsford


Time outmakes a


difference to Amy AMY Riordan (pictured below) is 13 and helps her mum look after her two autistic brothers. She said: “It’s great to meet up with carers of my age and just have some time out.” Matt,whose father has had sev-


eral strokes, keeps home with his brother. Now training to be a me- chanic, he also plans to become a volunteer. He said: “I’ve made so many


friends becausewe all share some- thing in common and there is a great sense of understanding among us. “Crossroads has given me so


much, I want to give something back.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40