Young Carers and their families from the Trust's Young Carers Programme recently had the opportunity to meet with Robert South, Director of Children's Services at Ealing Council and other leads to share their thoughts.

The event, which took place at Teatro Hall during the February half term, was designed by the young carers with the aim of sharing their views on the services provided by Ealing Council. The Trust's participants also had the opportunity to give feedback on what else the council could do to support them in their roles as young carers.

Essential Feedback

During the day there was also the opportunity to present how the Young Carers Programme has supported the young people and their families in their lives.

With conversation and sharing ideas at the core of the day, activities to promote conversation between the young people and professionals helped to break the ice and encourage debate.

Questions included topics such as how support services could be more easily accessed and what resources and services the young carers wished would be more readily available.

Provided Support

Some of the feedback provided on the Trust's Young Carers Programme, included:

  • "The Young Carers Project is the only place I felt safe sending them to" (Parent)

  • "I have received so many opportunities through the project" (Young carer)

  • "I can talk to staff about anything and this includes issues I'm facing too" (Parent)

  • "The project is one of two services that has provided support to our family. It has been essential support" (Parent)

Young Carers Programme

The Ealing and Hounslow Young Carers Project is delivered by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and offers support and advice to young carers aged between 8 and 18, who live in the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.

Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse. Some young carers may undertake high levels of care, whereas for others it may be frequent low levels of care. Either can impact heavily on a child or young person.

For more information about the programme, click here.