Lions duo meet Young Carers
First team players Josh Wright and John Marquis took time out over the festive period to visit the Young Carers project in Lewisham.
The players met and spoke to young people about their personal situations and gained a greater understanding of the roles each young carer undertakes within the home.
The players met and spoke to young people about their personal situations and gained a greater understanding of the roles each young carer undertakes within the home.
Young Carers are young people aged 18 or under who look after a mum, dad, brother, sister or other relative who is disabled, ill, has mental ill health or a drug or alcohol problem, providing help with tasks usually done by an adult.
To put this in context, in Lewisham, it is estimated that one in ten of all school-age children are young carers, and that there are over 700,000 young carers nationally.
To put this in context, in Lewisham, it is estimated that one in ten of all school-age children are young carers, and that there are over 700,000 young carers nationally.
Carers Lewisham has been supporting young carers for more than 20 years, and there are over 450 young people currently registered with Lewisham Young Carers Service.
Young carers often experience isolation, difficulties coping at home, problems at school, lack of social experiences and often need information and advice on the illness or disabilities their parents or grandparents suffer from.
Young carers often experience isolation, difficulties coping at home, problems at school, lack of social experiences and often need information and advice on the illness or disabilities their parents or grandparents suffer from.
The overall aim of the project is to improve the life chances of young carers in Lewisham.
Young people benefit greatly from meeting each other as many share common experiences. They can also gain peer support while meeting new friends, chilling out and having great fun.
The Young Carers Service offers drop-ins every Tuesday and Thursday during term time from 4pm to 6pm. These sessions provide the use of the computer suite and give the young carers the opportunity to chill out and chat after school.
Young people benefit greatly from meeting each other as many share common experiences. They can also gain peer support while meeting new friends, chilling out and having great fun.
The Young Carers Service offers drop-ins every Tuesday and Thursday during term time from 4pm to 6pm. These sessions provide the use of the computer suite and give the young carers the opportunity to chill out and chat after school.
After visiting the session and talking to some of the young carers, John Marquis told community staff: "The work done by Lewisham Carers is outstanding and it was a pleasure to meet these incredible young people."
For further information on the Lewisham Young Carers Service please visit www.carerslewisham.org.uk