Voices of Hidden Young Carers in Cork, Joe Finnerty and Cathal O ...

Voices of Hidden Young Carers in CorkInformation, Professional Intervention and SupportsOne of the biggest problems identified by the young carers and former young carers in thestudy was the lack of information and of professional interventions and supports for theyoung people. Many interviewees mentioned that they didn’t understand what was going onwhen their parent became ill and that nobody explained the situation to them. This was veryconfusing and frightening, particularly when they were so young. Former young carersexpressed anger that, even though professionals such as doctors, teachers or social workerswould have been aware of their situation, nobody had intervened to assist the young people.What hurts me most is the fact that all that went on and there was no one took any notice.Discussions with current young carers show that there is still inadequate professionalintervention and supports for young carers. For example, one young carer who iscaring for a young sibling because of her mother’s mental illness has stated that shereceives no professional support, receives inadequate information and interventionfrom her mother’s doctor and has never been contacted by a social worker. However,one of the other current young carers spoke of the difference that an engaged andsupportive social worker had made to his family. She engages with the son as well asthe mother and provides practical supports for the family.She comes around a lot and helps out with stuff to do with the house, like the chairsand carpets. She’d be up the whole time. She and my mam talking and having a cupof tea. You wouldn’t think she was a social worker at all, you’d think she was one ofmy mam’s friends.Both current and former young carers stressed the need for more adequate Home Helpand Respite Care and expressed anger at the recent cutbacks in these services. In additionto the lack of adequate professional supports, some former young carers were angry at thelack of support and help from family members and at the fact that they were left with allthe caring responsibilities: ‘For years I was very angry that they weren’t doing their bit like.’Contact with Other Young CarersIsolation can be a major problem for young carers. Because of their caringresponsibilities they often have less time to spend with their friends and peers. Youngcarers also felt that it could be difficult for friends to understand what it was like to bea young carer and some felt too embarrassed to discuss their home circumstances withtheir friends. Few of the young carers knew of, or had contact with, other young carersand they often felt that they were the only one in that situation. Two of the youngcarers had participated in an event for young carers which was organised by the localMultiple Sclerosis Society. They found it beneficial to learn that there were other youngcarers and that they shared similar experiences.I actually didn’t realise that there were others. I thought that there’d only be a fewothers but there was a good few.23