Young carers in Zundert
Young people are often a forgotten group in the informal care story. Young informal carers are children and young people growing up in a family where someone needs help. This could be, for example, a parent, brother or sister who is ill, has a disability or mental health problems.
They often help with care tasks or take on extra responsibilities that are not actually appropriate for their age. Many young carers do not see themselves as carers. They do not talk about it, but sometimes suffer from stress, problems at school or gloom.
Help for young carers
Young carers are not alone. You can get help from:
- Mentor or care coordinator at school
- Youth work
- Informal care support Zundert
For more information, also check out:
Tips for young carers:
- Discuss your situation at school
- Seek support from friends, family or social workers
- Keep doing fun things
- Find peers
Co-makers
Many young people do not know they are carers. Others find the word too heavy or negative. With the campaign Co-caregivers, Surplus wants to make young people aware of what informal care is, and that they might also fall under it.
Co-makers 2024
On Tuesday 7 May, in collaboration with Vanzelfsprekend JMZ, we were able to provide a guest lesson for all first-year students at Mencia Sandrode in Zundert. An explanation was given about what is a young carer and there was also an expert by experience who shared his story. A lot of quarters fell, lights came on and for some it was a far cry from my bed show. All was well.
In the week leading up to Young Carer's Week, information packets were dropped off at organisations willing to help us share the information.
On Tuesday 5 June and Friday 7 June, games involving young carers were played by fellow youth workers during breaks at Mencia Sandrode. Candy bags were handed out. These also contained information on carers.
Thus, we try to have the network around the young carers ask them the question “How are you doing?”.”
Do you recognise them?
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