did you know? feature
Help and information if you support someone in your family or whānau Young Carers NZ was established in 2005 by children and young people in caring roles for loved ones. Over the years it has grown into a community of 2000+ young carers and supporters, mainly interacting on social media. A number of leadership groups led by young carers under the age of 24 advanced the work of Young Carers NZ and a new group is now established - young carers from across the country helping to shape new supports for those currently helping members of their families, whānau, or aiga.
Young Carers NZ thanks the ProCare Foundation and MSD for supporting its work to recognise and assist young carers.
Young caring is still too invisible in New Zealand. Help us to make young carers aware of support, and to know that there is a network just for them. You can do this by: • Telling a young carer in your life about YCNZ’s Facebook community where they can receive support, updates, and learn about activities that might be of interest: https://www.facebook.com/youngcarersnz
• Asking them to click on the link to the short survey for young carers at the top of the Facebook page. This survey will help New Zealand know more about young carers: how old they are, who they help to care for, what they do, where they live, their ethnicity, and how they feel about their role. So far we have had more than 500 responses to the survey and other research is underway to build a picture about our country’s young carers. It takes just a minute to complete the survey. If the young carer in your life is very young, help them complete the survey!
• When completing the survey the young carer can provide their contact details to join Young Carers NZ – the free network that exists just for them. They will receive regular e-updates, and have opportunities to connect with other young carers, and sources of advice and help. Or, young
carers can join the network by phoning 0800 777 797 or emailing centre@carers.net.nz
• Schools, youth networks, counsellors, community organisations, and families/whānau can make sure young carers know about the Student Volunteer Army’s Service Award recognition programme. It recognises and celebrates the volunteering of secondary students including the mahi aroha of young carers. YCNZ has worked with the Army for several years to build the programme at schools around the country. Learn more at https://www.service.sva.org.nz/students/
• Request Young Carers NZ’s free resources for adults working with young carers, and to help young carers. Phone 0800 777 797 or email centre@carers.net.nz
• Community, professional, and education networks that want to learn more about Young Carers NZ and help to ensure better support for them can request a Young Carers NZ presentation – or just have a conversation. Contact us to arrange this.
If you or someone you know is a young carer who would like advice or has questions about what help is available for you, get in touch. We can answer questions, connect you to other help, or just listen. 0800 777 797 l https://www.facebook.com/youngcarersnz l centre@carers.net.nz 14 FamilyCARE
www.carers.net.nz
