Funds Re-announced for Young Carers Package

GOGGINS ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR YOUNG CARERS

Young people caring for the welfare of parents, brothers or sisters received a significant financial boost today.

Health Minister Paul Goggins, announced an additional £0.5m for Young Carers from the Children and Young People Funding Package.

The additional funding will:

• be used to establish a young carers regional service delivered geographically across Northern Ireland enabling young carers to go to their nearest support centre irrespective of Trust boundaries ensuring a fairer, more consistent and flexible approach.
• mean improved outcomes for young carers in respect of health, mental and emotional well-being, inclusion, educational attendance and achievement
• enable young carers to avail of social and recreational opportunities with peers
• provide organised leisure and social activities for groups of young carers to give them a break from caring and assist them enjoy normal childhood/adolescent activities
• provide appropriate and timely information.

Paul Goggins said: “This is good news for young carers. The time they give up to look after family members cannot be overestimated. It reflects amazing, unselfish dedication. It means thousands of parents, brothers and sisters are able to retain their independence and continue to live in a family environment in their local community

“We must recognise and support their investment of time and energy. This funding will help ensure that they don’t miss out on education opportunities or recreation, that many young people take for granted. It will mean better access to information, letting them know what support is available and giving them a louder voice to air concerns.

“Young carers can often experience loneliness and a sense of isolation and feel that their hopes and expectations of life will not be realised because of the burden caring places on them. The service will provide support at a local level on a whole range of issues including health, mental and emotional well-being, inclusion, education and achievement.”

Mr Goggins highlighted that today’s announcement was one element of a sustained strategy which already has produced an A-Z guide For Carers and a training DVD, produced in association with Barnardo’s.

Mr Goggins announced the additional funding to an audience of young carers taking part at a bowling event, organised by Barnardo’s, in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast. It is estimated that there may be around 185,000 informal or family carers in Northern Ireland, many of them young people.

5. The Caring For Carers Strategy is available on the Department’s internet site http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/ec-dhssps-caring-for-carers.pdf