Young Carers Action Day 2021

#YoungCarersActionDay is about Protecting Young Carers’ Futures and making sure that all young and young adult carers get the support they need to go after their dreams.

A carer is someone of any age who looks after and provides unpaid support to a family member or friend who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Student carers do not have to be formally recognised as a carer to access the support they need. Young Carers Action Day is about highlighting the skills they have developed through being a carer – like resilience, time-management and empathy.

We spoke to 19 year old Kimberley Muir, a former young adult carer, who is now at Ayrshire College studying Youth Work and Communities (Level 6). She tells us about her experience as a Carer.

“I cared for my Mum who was diagnosed with cancer whilst I was in secondary school. At the time I didn’t class myself as a Young Carer, and it wasn’t until the school nurse talked to me and gave me an information leaflet for North Ayrshire Young Carers, that I realised I was.

"I had roles and responsibilities when it came to looking after and helping my mum. This really affected my mental health, as I was going around in circles worrying about how my mum was feeling, if she was getting better or if her health was deteriorating as months and years went by.

"This affected my school work as it got more taxing on me and got too much to handle at certain times in my life. I was handing homework in late and missing deadlines. Sometimes it got too much to handle.

"Support from other young carers like me that I had got to know at North Ayrshire Young Carers, as well as teachers and friends, gave me so much reassurance, making sure I was doing okay and checking up on me on the rough days as well as the good days. Sadly in 2019 my mum passed and it’s been a lot to handle with grief.

"Depending what the future holds, I’d like to get a job working with Young Carers who are like me, who look after someone and support someone. I’d like to be the person that they can turn to for support and be able to talk to. I’d like to support them as much as other people in my life have supported me.

"Coming to Ayrshire College has been a really good thing for me, and the future is looking good. Last year I passed a Childcare course, and I’m now studying Youth Work and Communities. I’ve secured a place on the HNC level, and after that, my aim is to go to university to learn more about working with youths in the community.”

Ayrshire College recently achieved the Going Further for Student Carers Recognition Award. Launched in March 2019 by Carers Trust Scotland, supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the award recognises Ayrshire College’s ongoing commitment to providing a learning environment that is rewarding and ensures equal opportunities to student carers.

The Ayrshire College Student Association’s Student Carers Forum gives Student Carers an opportunity to come together to chat about their experiences and offer peer support.

If you would like further information on the Ayrshire College Student Carers Forum, or would like to join, please email Charlotte Mitchell charlotte.mitchell@ayrshire.ac.uk.