Not only do we support young carers – a young person, who is caring for or emotionally affected by a family member who has a physical or mental illness, disability or misuses drugs or alcohol. But we also support Sibling Carers – a young person who is affected by a brother or sister’s disability, illness or additional need.
Here we look at how we helped support Ethan, a sibling carer, re-gain his confidence and build new relationships.
Ethan's Story
Ethan is 8-years-old and was registered with the Young Carers Team at Suffolk Family Carers after mum was given information by the Ipswich Hospital Carers Hub.
Ethan has a younger sibling who has impaired vision and a genetic condition. This results in his mum and sibling spending lots of time travelling to and waiting around for hospital appointments in Ipswich, Addenbrooke’s and Great Ormond Street. Sometimes He has to go with them if there is no one to look after him at home. Ethan said he finds the waiting around very boring. Sometimes his sibling has to stay in hospital for treatments so mum stays too and Ethan has to stay with his Grandparents, he says this is fine but he misses his mum.
Mum had become worried about Ethan. She worried that all their families attention seemed to be directed towards the sibling and felt Ethan had started to withdraw into himself. She knew he understood his sibling was unwell and when mum asked if he was ok he said he was fine, he just missed her and he wished his sibling would get better.
How we helped...
After Ethan was registered with us he had a Young Carer Needs Assessment, it was identified that Ethan and would benefit from meeting with other young carers in a similar situation. This would give him the opportunity to gain peer support, knowing that he would have someone to talk with that would understand how he was feeling.
Ethan now regularly attends a monthly young carers clubs and has come along to other activities, including online activities during lockdown.
During an online activity Ethan struck up a friendship with another young carer, they got to meet in person last summer when we were permitted to host small group activities. The mums shared contact details with each other with the plan to meet up and get the children together.
Mum has said Ethan is like a different child, he loves coming to his young carers activities. Ethan wishes there was a young carers pack for siblings for when they have to spend a lot of time at hospitals. We have spoken to Ethan and he hope that he can be involved with sharing ideas should we create a hospital pack.
Whether you are a Young Carer or a professional working with Young Carers, if you would like more information on our Young People’s Service please get in contact with us.
