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, much higher.


in reality, be


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


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


roads, which saw


Cross- him


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.”


34 Maidstone March 2018


youth leader. Funding is key to rolling out a service throughout the county


through this difficult time, to become a


We met up


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


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


arriving late or demonstrating be- havioural problems.


However, for those lucky


Jan said: “These children often posting, respite care and youth feel alone and many come with is-


sues such as eating disorders, anx- when it comes to bridging the gap iety, panic attacks and self-harming because they have no outlet to dis- cuss their circumstances and are


enough, advice, day trips, sign clubs are making huge inroads between isolation and support. Reporting by Dawn Kingsford


school, often as a result of absence, unawarewe are here to help.”


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.”


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