True number of Shropshire’s young carers is revealed
Saturday 15th May 2010, 11:30AM BST.
More than 100 children under the age of 10 are acting as carers for parents and other family members in Shropshire, new figures revealed today.
The British Red Cross said there were between 15 and 20 children aged five to seven taking on the demanding role in the home and more than 80 between eight and 10.
The charity has praised the youngsters as unsung heroes.
The young carers are said to play a vital role in providing emotional and practical care to their parents or siblings who are ill, disabled, suffer with mental health difficulties or have alcohol or drug-related issues.
Vanessa Turner, development manager at the British Red Cross Young Carers Project, said there were four youngsters in the county aged just five who provide support at home.
“With the younger children it is mainly emotional support that they offer,” she said.
“They seem to be socially isolated and there are issues around school and bullying and they can’t undertake the activities that other youngsters do.
“They can’t go to the cinema or do other social activities because of their caring duties and that’s where we come in and do things every month and offer support.”
The project is divided into five areas and offers advice and support for young carers in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry, Market Drayton and Shrewsbury.
“We organise meetings, trips and activities where young people can talk openly about every day issues such as giving medication, without feeling self-conscious as they might do at school,” she added.
The project is also running a programme to inform teachers and GPs of the impact on caring for someone when you are under 18.
Most Commented
- Shropshire Council will face £8m redundancy bill
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
