Young carers day focuses on tackling isolation

TACKLING isolation was the theme of this year’s national Young Carers Action Day, which was marked locally.

The Shetland Carers service organised displays to advertise and promote the day at Mareel, at Shetland UHI campuses, the Anderson High School, Bridges project and Market House in Lerwick.

It also organised a group activity for the young carers and young adults’ carers group.

Yesterday’s action day was highlighting the Covid-related theme of ‘taking action on isolation’.

It comes as a national survey shows that young carers are feeling burnt out as their workload increases.

The Covid pandemic has also heightened feelings of responsibility and isolation, affecting mental health.

Local young carers support worker Laura Mackenzie said: “It is important that young carers are supported in our community, so they do not miss out on opportunities to learn, socialise and to be able to enjoy the things they like.

“This year’s Young Carers Action Day theme is to encourage young carers to tackle isolation and other issues that have arisen from the pandemic.

“Now that restrictions are reducing, it can still be a worrying time for young carers and their families/cared for person, but our service can support and advise them in any way we can.’’

Shetland Carers has also worked with the council to develop a pathway and guidance for identifying and supporting young carers, while the SIC has also developed an iLearn module called Young Carer Awareness for school staff.

Shetland Carers, which is run through Voluntary Action Shetland, is a service providing information, advice and signposting to local and national organisations which might be able to support the carer or the person they care for.

It also provides support groups, one to one support, help with emergency planning and access to short breaks.

Shetland Carers can be contacted on carers@shetland.org or 01595 743 908, while the website can be found here. www.shetlandcarers.org