Inspirational youngsters didn't even realise they are carers

Published date21 September 2022
Publication titleAirdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Polling and survey work undertaken by CarersTrust has found that, in every classroom, as many as one child/young person in five, to one child/young person in 10 has some kind of caring role - bringing the charity's estimated total to over 100,000 young carers in Scotland

Scotland's 2011 Census revealed there were 2448 young carers aged up to 15 in North and South Lanarkshire, and 4942 aged 16 to 24 in Lanarkshire as a whole.

With the results of this year's Census in Scotland yet to be released, official figures about the Lanarkshire young carers'landscape are now over a decade old - and are, CarersTrustassumes,"a significant underestimation."

Whether they lovingly care for one sick relative or attend to the needs of several vulnerable family members, four remarkable young Lanarkshire people share one thing in common: none of them realised, until their involvement with an empowering children's charity, that they are, in fact, young carers.

In Scotland today, it's estimated there are at least 30,000 young carers aged under 18 - unsung heroes who provide unpaid care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, or struggles with mental health or addiction. Yet, alarmingly, there are many more who remain 'under the radar.'

T' hese four Lanarkshire young carers have elected to share their emotive stories not because they want to draw attention to their altruism, to their own seflessness.

Olivia Green, 15, of Newarthill; Lewis Taylor, also 15, of Craigneuk, Wishaw; and 13-year-olds Bee Mulholland and Zara McCann, both of Hamilton, hope that their experiences will be the catalyst that prompts relatives and teachers to be the voice of the thousands of young carers who are going it alone, coping with the burden of their caring responsibilities without any support.

Olivia, Lewis, Bee and Zara, who tell their stories with authority and maturity that defy their years, are also determined to turn the spotlight on the critical need for improved mental health resources and support for Scotland's children and young people who are struggling to cope.

Lewis Taylor was a quiet and withdrawn shell of a boy when he was referred to North Lanarkshire Young Carers - a referral for which his school, Clyde Valley High, pushed.

Lewis was a devoted carer to his little sister, Faye, who only two weeks ago tragically lost her brave battle with brain cancer at the age of nine.

He also looks after his 11-year-old brother, his 13-year-old sister, and his mum, who has...

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