Our ‘All About Young Carers’ Health Engagement Event at the end of July was an opportunity for staff from Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust to hear directly from young carers.  Members of GYC’s ‘Our Voice’ forum explained about their different caring roles, and how caring impacts their mental health, school and social life.

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The event arose through our collaborative working with CAMHS (Child with Adolescent Mental Health Service). Together we planned this event to raise awareness and understanding of young carers with staff across the whole of the trust including those working with children and adults.

We delivered a presentation on our service offer and how to refer, and explored the reasons why many young carers are hidden.   The attendees learnt about the potential impacts of caring on a young person’s emotional health, especially those who care for a parent with a mental illness.   We looked at the evidence that shows that, if these young people get the right support, they can reduce their risk of developing mental health difficulties themselves.

Cathy Newman – Ambassador for Carers at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust presented on the’ Triangle of Care’ and how this scheme (that recognises the value of including carers) is being embedded at the trust.

The highlight of the afternoon was the presentations by the young people and then a question-and-answer session where the delegates were able to find out more from them about their lives and what has been helpful for them.

The afternoon ended with a workshop session bringing the young carers, staff from the trust and GYC together to address barriers in identifying and referring young carers and how these can best be overcome.

When asked to describe how this event may impact of their professional practices delegates described how they now have: ‘More knowledge and have the confidence to raise awareness at work’ and ‘will be far more likely to be curious about a young person’s caring experience’‍

Feedback for the young carers included
‘You are all amazing and your experiences really help others to understand the challenges you face, but how a service like this has supported you. Good luck for the future, you are all incredible’

‘I thought it was extremely brave of them to be so open and honest about their experiences. I was very impressed with their confidence!’‍

We would like to thank the young carers who made this event so impactful and staff at Gloucestershire Health and Carer NHS Foundation Trust for their consideration of young carers and working with us to make it happen.

It is another step towards having a ‘Young Carer Aware’ county when young carers are recognised wherever they come into contact with services.

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