Awards for young carers in schools

The 6 to 11-year-olds will meet at The Gateway Centre, Aylesbury, on Thursday, January 28, in an event supported by the Aylesbury Vale Clinical Commissioning Group (AVCCG), and pictured are the young carers group from

The schools are being awarded for their commitment to supporting and identifying young carers by offering young carers support groups, as part of Young Carers Bucks’ Young Carers in Schools programme, funded by The Community Chest - a partnership between the Vale of Aylesbury Housing and Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The regular groups, led by a young carers champion, run throughout the school term and support pupils who help care for an ill or disabled family member at home, by giving them the opportunity to discuss any worries they might have with their caring role or school work, as well as the chance to have some time for themselves.

Sally Mansi, service manager at Young Carers Bucks said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the fantastic support that these schools give to young carers, and I look forward to presenting them with their Gold Award on January 28.

“Schools play a vital role in a young carer’s life, but many care for relatives without their teachers even knowing what they do, so the support we can provide to schools to help them identify young carers can have a huge impact on their learning and wellbeing.”

Gabriella, 10, from William Harding School in Aylesbury, said: “I really like coming to the group at my school because I can share my worries and it helps cheer me up when I feel down. I have met new friends who I can talk about things with and who understand.”

>> Young Carers are responsible for the emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse problems.

On average young carers will miss half a day of school every two weeks as a result of their caring role.

To date over 16,500 children have been reached as part of Young Carers Bucks’ schools programme through assemblies covering over 70 schools across Aylesbury Vale.

Young Carers Bucks supports over 650 young carers across Buckinghamshire.

Young Carers Awareness Day 2016, is a national day of recognition for the 700,000 young carers in the UK who work around the clock providing care and support to family and friends.

A Young Carers Champion is a dedicated staff member from the school who runs the young carers groups such as a Pastoral Manager or teacher.

The primary schools being awarded on 28th January at The Gateway, Aylesbury are:

Ashmead combined school

Bedgrove Junior school

Bierton C of E combined school

Aston Clinton combined school

Elmhurst Junior school

Haydon Abbey combined school

Stone Cof E combined school

William Harding combined school

Princes Risborough Primary

Oak green Combined school

Bearbrook Combined school

Haddenham Junior school

St Mary’s combined school

Buckingham Park

Sixth formers from Cottesloe Secondary school have designed and produced the awards being present on the day.

To find out more about Young Carers Bucks visit www.youngcarersbucks.org or call Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722.