ROdown Blog
Are you supporting a friend or family member?
Update: The Young Carers competition has now closed. The winners of the competition will be announced by May 31st on the Reach Out website and Carers Australia websites, so stay tuned to see if you were one of our winners.
There are around 380,000 young people in Australia providing care to a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health issue, alcohol or other drug problem or who is frail aged.
It is important to recognise that the care provided by young people each and every day is enriching the lives of their families, their communities as well as saving the government money!
How can the government better support you as a young carer?
In March 2010, the Government put forward legislation that recognises that young carers in Australia should be supported to reach their full potential.
What does that mean? We want to know, so we are asking you:
If you had 5 minutes with a politician, what would you tell them about the needs of young carers?
Each idea goes into the draw to win one of 6 $250 JB Hi-Fi vouchers and every entrant receives a Young Carer kit. Competition is open from now until Sunday 9 May. Enter on the competition form (terms & condition).
Carers Australia will present the results to Government, giving young carers the chance to speak up and be heard!
Why not start the conversation now
What would you want to tell politicians about the needs of young carers if you could. Let us know below! (but just remember to be eligible to go into the draw to win you have to submit your responses on the competition form).
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11 Comments
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Cally
over 1 year ago
Reply ReportWell it's difficult to understand all together what it’s like... each individual carers cause and story is different. Some of them can be formed into groups, but they are still all unique. I was 12 when my father and sister left home because our family had fallen a part because of the tension formed with my mother’s mental illness. ‘The Coping Group’ was something I am really proud I attended; growing up, and going to the group meetings every week with other people in my predicament made me feel normal and happy. It was hard to return home when things were tough having the group as an escape and something to look forward to every week was a blessing. For all ages it is quite hard, but we do love the person we care about and that’s why we do it!!
Kind Regards
Callandra
Nicole Box
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportThanks for your comments Nelly - you have some fantastic suggestions about how the government can make changes to the school system to help young carers.
Like you said - it is all about schools understanding what it's like to be a young carer and making the school system flexible for young carers.
Make sure you fill out the entry form at www.reachout.com/carers for your opportunity to win one of the $250 JB Hi-Fi vouchers. You can enter as many times as you like!
And to find out more about the Young Carers Program and how it can support you, call 1800 242 636
Best wishes,
Nicole
simplynellyxx
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportFor me I had to leave school because school was not being so supportive of my situation...
I think more education should be given to schools about young carers, how stressful their lives can be, how they may sometimes react emotionally, how the school could make allowances in some cases regarding work... Maybe teachers could post work online, with notes from the lesson? Or something to that effect??
I mean I couldn't even finish my VCE, because I missed an exam and they wouldn't let me take it- also if you miss more then a certain number of days of school, you automatically fail- which makes it very very difficult for all us young carers out there.
I just think if the government offered more information out to schools, changed a few rules, they would understand hopefully better and other carer-kids would still be able to have a semi-normal life by going to school and stuff.
Sorry for rambling.. XD
-Nelly.
Nicole Box
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportHi Deterjr,
I really liked what you wrote about how it's important for the government to raise the awareness of the wider community, especially doctors and others in the health services, to recognise and support young carers.
Make sure you fill out the entry form at www.reachout.com/carers for your opportunity to win one of the $250 JB Hi-Fi vouchers. You can enter as many times as you like!
Roisin - RO Crew
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportHi deterjr,
Thanks for your input and your awesome tip. I agree that it is really important for people to remember to take time out to look after themselves aswell.
I hope you can make it to our live forum tonight to discuss these issues further.
Its starts at 7.30 AEST at this link:
http://au.reachout.com/connect/forums/features/shout-out-to-young-carers-come-and-join-in-the-conversation-on-wed-april-14th-from-7-30-9-30pm-aest
Hope to see you there :)
dexterjr
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportAnd A Tip For Life Always have at least 5mins time to yourslef to relax and unwind
dexterjr
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportMy Name Is Andrew Henderson And What I Would Say To A Politician Is That As A Young Carer Myself I Get Treated By Doctors Exactly Same everytime i see one with my mother. When I Need To talk to a doctor its like hes telling me he knows im here but he does not care soo i think all young carers should be more recognised for all the work they do for there siblings,parents and anybody else And That The Doctors Dont Just Shrug Us Off
Nicole Box
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportThanks Bella : ) You're right, it would be great to hear from people who are carers, or who have been a carer in the past, or from anyone who is passionate about this issue.
A young carer is a young person who helps out a member of their family, or a friend, who has a disability, mental illness, a long-term illness, an alcohol or other drug problem, or who is frail-aged.
Sometimes a young person has cared for someone the majority of their life. For other people, they may have been a carer for a shorter period of time (e.g. you may have helped out a friend whilst they experienced a period of depression).
A big part of being a carer is juggling caring for someone, whilst also trying to care for yourself, and keep up with the regular things in life like school and work.
Does anyone have any tips on how they juggle life?
Bella.
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportHey guys,
Nicole Box
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportThanks for your message Chey. I'm the Young Carers Program Coordinator at Carers Australia. I agree with you - caring is such a big role in life, it needs more than 5 minutes of government attention!
We are interested to know about how the government could help young carers who are studying or working, whilst also caring for their family or friend. Would it be useful for your teachers to know you're a carer? Do we need to encourage employers to give their staff more "carers leave", including leave for casual staff? What are your thoughts?
Chey
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportCan I just say I dont Think Five Minutes is long engough,unless I kept talking with out taking a breath lol :P,Theres so many things Id say and ask,
Im not a career as such but Ive been friends with people who are and played the role with a few people that have come n gone in my life.
Theres so many things the outside world nevers sees.