Infobus on June 7th - Young Carers
Young carers are people up to 25 years of age who provide unpaid care or support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail.
There are over 275,000 young carers in Australia, which equates to between 2-3 carers in every classroom.
If you identify as a young carer, are not sure or just want to find out more than this is the infobus for you!
We will be joined by a member of the Carers NSW Young Carer program and a Young Carer representative on June 7 at 8:30pm AEST to talk about being a young carer, where to go for support and looking after yourself.
If you'd like to ask a question anonymously, you can do that too right here:
We'll answer your question right after the live chat finishes 🙂
If you'd like to find out more about Young Carers you can visit the website here and join us on June 7 at 8.30pm AEST to talk about all things Young Carers.
Thank you to our special guests 🙂
I wasn't able to join in last night but this has been such an insightful conversation to read over today! Thanks @SmileMonkey for making this infobus happen 🙂
Theres so much to learn about being a carer and starting young gives you heaps of learning opportunities.
Also of its a family member or friend your caring for it enables you to bond and become closer as well
@scared01 Yes that is right 🙂 Carers Australia - 1800 242 636
Most importantly being a carer helped me figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up. It helped me to realise I wanted to help people and that has helped to push me into the social work field so I can help others.
How can you support someone who is a young carer? If you have ever gotten some support as a young carer, what was it like?
I agree @Daniel-Carers, it definitely makes you more mature.
How can you support someone who is a young carer? If you have ever gotten some support as a young carer, what was it like?
I have always been supported by Young Carers NSW since I can remember which is great because they provide great support even just through their newsletters, website or some of the programs they run.
I have had support from teachers who have known about my caring responsibilities, they have helped me get extensions for assignments when there have been unforeseen things I have had to do or just listened to how I was feeling.
I haven't really, only things like these chats. peer support has been helpful, connecting with other people who get it
In all seriousness though, be there to listen and ask them how you can help them if you can at all.
I think sometimes it might feel difficult for people to open up about their experience as a carer, not everyone else knows what it's like or has been a part of a conversation like this. So just being willing to listen and understand a bit about what it's like can be a huge help 🙂
@Ben-RO That's right 🙂
If you don't know how to support someone, ask them what is the best way they would like to be supported 🙂
I don't know what you could do as there would probably be some limitations depending on how much of a carer you are if you know what I mean. I guess talking to people who are willing to help and support you is one thing and probably taking opportunities to have a break as well would be another thing.
I learnt to play the guitar. Music for me is my time out, and it also gives me space to express myself in a creative way!
I have found that having regular time out really helps, rather than just leaving it until I really really need it. So I like to have baths with beautiful bath bombs, watch tv shows, go to the park with my pupper or just treat myself to something tasty. Time out is really important because we need to care for ourselves before we can care for others.
