Schools sign up to charter

  On Thursday 9th May I was asked to present a very worthy

Young Carers Charter to one of the schools local 

to where I was born in County Durham. 

There are 175,000 known young carers in the UK,

and many more who are young carers but are unknown, 

who care for a family member

for one unfortunate reason or other.

A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps

to look after a relative who has a disability, illness, 
mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem.

Having read the Charter, it is to be applauded in it's thoughtfulness, 

understanding and compassion shown towards young carers 

who may be performing difficult 

but necessary tasks in their home environment–tasks beyond 

what are expected of children so young.

The Northern Echo

TWO schools have been rewarded for supporting pupils 

who have caring responsibilities at home and others are being 

encouraged to follow their example.

Chilton Primary School and Woodham Academy, 

in Newton Aycliffe were this week presented 

with copies of the County Durham Young Carers Charter.

Both schools have worked with Family Action Durham Young Carers 

to create a supportive environment for those youngsters 

who help to look after loved ones.

Glynis Newby, 

educational development worker with Family Action, said:

“One in 12 children is a young carer so we want 

all schools in County Durham to sign up to the charter, 

it involves simple inexpensive steps to make 

the live of young carers better.”

To sign up to the charter each school built an environment 

where young carers and their families feel safe, 

accepted and understood and raised awareness among staff 

and pupils of the pressures some young carers may face.

Young carers should then know they can turn to 

someone at school for help, be it emotional or practical.

Children’s book illustrator Stuart Trotter, 

originally from Ferryhill, 

 presented Chilton Primary School with its award yesterday 

(Thursday, May 9).

Mr Trotter, whose work includes illustrating 

the Rupert Bear annuals since 2008, 

Postman Pat and Kipper books, said:

“To throw a comforting and supporting arm around pupils 

and families has to be applauded.”

By Catherine Priestley, 

Chief Reporter Northern Echo.