Carers Week - 12-18th June

From June 12th-18th, it's Carers Week! Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

Here at Honeypot, we focus on raising awareness of and supporting young carers. Children or anyone under 18 who helps look after a relative or someone close who is ill (often chronically or terminally), disabled, has mental health problems or problems with drugs or alcohol.

There are up to 195,000 young carers in the UK, though official figures are believed to commonly misrepresent the actual number for several reasons. Many young carers and their families find it difficult to come forwards, young carers find it hard to relate to other children and parents worry they may seem unfit guardians to social services. Councils also do not count children who look after family who may suffer from alcohol or drug abuse problems. A BBC survey in 2010 estimated the number could be as high as 700,000.

From next month, children across the UK will be able to go on their summer holidays. Not so for our young carers, who will still be working at home all summer, caring for their families. 80% of young carers already care every day. And 80% of young carers feel they miss out on what children their age are doing because of their caring role.

At Honeypot, we believe every child deserves their one chance at childhood. We can't let children sit at home all summer without a chance to have a proper holiday. Young carers should have the same opportunities as other children, and the chance to enjoy their childhoods and have friends.

Over the next few months we'll be taking over 300 children on respite breaks alone to give them a summer holiday to remember.

So, please get involved this Carers Week to support young carers.

If you’d like advice on how to get involved fundraising with your local community, company, school or organisation, ring 020 7602 263 for our London office and 02380 890002 for our Hampshire office.