Wirral Young Carers

This is a group of young children aged between 5 and 18 who are primary carers for a member of their family be it a parent, grandparent or sibling. Sadly all too commonly young carers tend to care for a parent and other siblings they suddenly become surrogate parents and assume responsibility for running the home, administering medication, feeding the person/persons they care for, help dress and wash them, as well as take care of their own needs. The most common problems that cause them to be carers are drug and alcohol abuse as well as disability and mental illness.
 
Wirral young carers is made up of approximately 80 children who on the surface blend in with other kids and have no outward showing signs of the incredible responsibilty they carry on their shoulders. When I met them and learned that some where responsible for caring for a bi-polar mother, blind and mentally disabled father, and thee siblings one of which was ADHD and the other autistic I was in utter shock! I could and can't believe that in this society, in one of the worlds richest and most developed countries here are children facing these scenarios each and every day. They cannot care for themselves as they have too much to worry about for the people they look after. They have no childhood, or things to look forward to. Bizzarely most receive no help because the parents are so afraid of their children and primary carers being taken into care that they dont tell anyone about it so these kids remain helpless.
 
The Wirral young carers project provides help for these kids however small, they provide a lifeline. They provide advice and organise outings and activities to give young carers small but desperately needed breaks.
 
Michelle from Roses tea rooms explains why she is so passonate about this project.
"I too was a young carer when I was growing up in Cyprus. I cared for my disabled and very frail grandmother which meant getting her out of bed, changing her, bathing and feeding her as well as changing the bedding when she had accidents. I was raised by my grandparents after the death of my parents and my grandfather was frail and old too so I couldnt ask for help. I had to provide it for everyone else."

"I was 6 years old when I went to live with my grandparents and cared for my grandmother until she passed away when I was 12. We lived on a farm so I had to work on the farm too, just me and Grandpa."

"There was no time for 'being a child' and I was vulnerable as I had no grown up to look out for me! At school kids would laugh and play without a care in the world and I lived isolated in my own little world unable to share with anyone what I felt or needed. I was teased and laughed at a lot at school for being messy and dirty, wearing unironed clothes and having scruffy hair, now I am obsessed with being tidy and looking clean at all times and I dont let my kids out of the house unless they look pristine!"

"I remember always feeling tired... I adored my grandparents and looking back now I would do it all again because I knew such love from them too despite everything."

"Its hard, no one understands and you are suddenly an adult in a child's body trying to make sense, trying to cope and people judge you for your tantrums or moods...."
 
"For me it was a lot easier than for most of the young carers around today because I knew real love and I knew that if my grandparents could, they would have never have allowed that style of living. Most carers these days are looking after parents who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and that life is a nightmare. It's frightening and it's dangerous and they dont have the oportunity to be loved or cuddled."
 
I share my experiences with you because I want you to support Wirral young carers or any young carer project in your area. It is a very deserving cause and you have no idea how a small act of kindness can make a huge difference to these lovely amazing kids. They are little unsung heroes and they deserve our respect, love and help. Please call me to discuss how you can come on board to help this deserving project. We are working on various ideas at the moment and any help is gratefully received! For more information look at these links
http://pss.org.uk/
http://www.wirralcarers.co.uk/youngcarers.htm