Majority of young carers 'worried about post-Covid future'

The majority of young carers in Scotland are worried about the future after coronavirus, according to a new survey.

Carers Trust Scotland found 71% of young carers and 85% of young adult carers were more worried about the future since the Covid-19 outbreak.

The charity’s findings also suggest 45% of young carers and 68% of young adult carers said their mental health was worse as a result of the pandemic.

More than 200 youngsters across Scotland responded to the survey with young carers aged 12 to 17 and young adult carers aged 18 to 25.

Just over half (58%) of the younger age group who responded said their education is suffering as a result of coronavirus while 42% of the older group said they were unable to take a break from caring.

One 15-year-old female carer who responded to the survey said coronavirus “has made me more anxious, lost, unconnected, unsure and very sad that we can’t hug our dad, nanna, aunts/uncles, cousins and friends”.

Another female carer, aged 22, said: “I have no help or support whatsoever now – I’m caring 24/7 and I’m exhausted and mentally drained.

“My young carers service is closing before lockdown ends so I now won’t have any support and I don’t know how I’m going to cope.”

Louise Morgan, Carers Trust director in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “This is the first snapshot of how coronavirus is affecting thousands of young people with caring responsibilities across Scotland. And the results are extremely concerning.

“It’s clear that the pandemic has made what was already a very worrying picture for young carers in Scotland far, far worse.

“That’s why we are calling for more support and more services to ensure that young people with caring responsibilities get the support they need.”