Ambitions of one in four young adult carers ruined

Research carried out by Carers Trust Wales has confirmed that young adults with caring responsibilities are far more likely to drop out of college or university than those without.

Looking to raise awareness of the challenges young carers face, the organisation has spent the last year talking to these young adults in order to better understand how they can be supported to remain in education, employment or training.

As well as finding that young carers are four times more likely to drop out of education, the report ‘Time to be Heard Wales’ finds that one quarter of those still in school are bullied because they are a carer and that 35 per cent have not informed anyone of their situation.

Director Simon Hatch comments: “There are at least 22,655 young adult carers in Wales, and we believe it’s time their voices were heard.

“Many young adult carers have been caring for most of their lives. Often putting the needs of the person they care for above their own. Leaving school, going to college or university, entering employment – these are difficult transitions for all young adults. But for young adult carers, when there isn’t the support that they need, they can be insurmountable obstacles.

“This report is clear, there is a need for greater recognition, support and understanding of young adult carers in local authorities, education, and employment.

“It is time to listen to the voices of young adult carers and create a Wales that not only gives young adult carers the support they need but also the recognition they deserve.”

Jodie Williams, a young adult carer in her first year of university, comments on her own experience, saying: “One of the challenges of being a young adult carer is having a balance. Making sure that I focus on myself as well as everything else.”

She continues, “One of the challenges with education is having the time to do everything and to take part in as much as I can. Being a young adult carer makes the decision to carry on with education very difficult. I found that a very important part of the decision is to consider everything, for example location, time, and money.

“The main thing that has really helped me is having support. One of the smallest things, just knowing someone is there to talk to. It really makes a difference.”

According to Carers Trust Wales, there are over 22,000 young adult carers in Wales who are unpaid for the role they play in looking after a loved one due to illness, mental health, disability or addiction.