Young carers told professionals attending a recentconference ‘we want to see action for young carers - now’.

The 26 young carers who co-produced the Twilight Conference aimedto challenge professionals in health, education, social care and the police to rethinktheir approaches to how they provide support. They shared their own stories ofsupporting mums, dads and siblings then said now it was time for action.

17-year-old Aura eloquently explained that young peoplewanted to see change. She said: “We have too many conversations, we have tickedtoo many boxes and completed too many forms. We want more interaction; someonewe can trust. It is about developing relationships with us.”

Another young carer Madi agreed saying: “As a young carer Iam involved in training social workers at university and police officers andthey are beginning to get it. Now I want us to focus on the health service, onGPs and the hospitals.”

Chandra who is just 13 said: “GPs don’t believe that wethink like adults. We have adult worries and our concerns are not those ofother children. We need you to remember that.”

In their presentations to around 80 delegates they explainedthat professionals try to ‘hide information’ from them and they explained thatwhen they are supporting their parents in hospital or in the doctor’s surgerythey worry more when information is withheld.

Professionals attending the event assured the young peoplethat they had been heard.

Anna Rarity, Patients and Public Involvement Manager(Strategic Projects) for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust pledged to meetthe challenge by involving young carers in future strategic developments.

She said: “I listened with interest to what the young peoplesaid and want to assure them that their voices have been heard and we will act.We will be working with Gloucestershire Young Carers to involve young carers atstrategic level to make a difference in the way we support them in ourhospitals, this will include updating and promoting our Young Carers Handbook.

ENDS