Shining a Light on Young Carers During National Carers Week

ROBERT HEYWARD

National Carers Week 2024 is highlighting the incredible contributions made by carers across Australia, with a particular focus on young carers who manage caregiving responsibilities alongside school, part-time jobs, and their social lives. Carers provide unpaid care and support to family members who are frail aged, living with a disability, mental health condition, chronic illness, or other dependencies.

In NSW, there are over 958,500 carers, including 131,400 young people under 25 who face both the physical and mental health challenges associated with caregiving.

One initiative making a difference is the Little Dreamers Journey project, which has supported nearly 100 young carers on the NSW North Coast since its launch in March 2023. Funded with $451,266 from the NSW Government’s ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program, the project offers recreational and respite programs for young carers aged 10 to 25. These programs include peer support, tutoring, and school holiday activities, helping young carers build social connections and take breaks from their caregiving responsibilities.

Julia Ryan, Director for Regional Youth at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, emphasized the impact of the project.

“The Little Dreamers Journey project is creating a supportive community for young carers, addressing their unique challenges and helping them balance caregiving with personal growth,” she said.

Founder and CEO of Little Dreamers, Madeleine Buchner OAM, stressed the importance of supporting young carers, particularly in regional areas.

“With an 8% increase in young carers nationwide, these young people often sacrifce their childhoods to provide care, facing signifcant disadvantages in the process,” Buchner said.

Charlotte, 12, who helps care for her brother with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, shared how the program has transformed her experience.

“Before Little Dreamers, I felt misunderstood. Now, I’ve made friends who understand the same struggles, and I fnally feel a sense of belonging,” Charlotte said.

For more information on Little Dreamers, visit www. littledreamers.org.au.