New book aims to raise awareness of the issues experienced by young carers
A new illustrated book for children, families and teachers based on research with young carers tells the story of Carly who cares for her disabled mum – a situation faced by thousands of young people across Britain.
Author Professor Jo Aldridge, of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s School of Social Sciences, has written the narrative from the 12-year-old youngster’s perspective.
The story is particularly relevant on Thursday (Jan 31), when the Carers Trust marks Young Carers Day.
In the book, Can I Tell You º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Being a Young Carer?, Carly – a fictional character – shares her feelings about her caring role, her school and social life and her relationship with her mum.
She describes what it is like to be a young carer:
“I don’t always tell others either about Mum and about what I do to help her and Sam around the house.
"My best friend Hannah knows because she lives just down the road and she’s been to my house. And because I trust her and know she won’t tell anyone else if I don’t want her to.
“When Mum is not feeling well and is sad I try to cheer her up by helping around the house, playing with Sam and telling her jokes and stories to try and make her laugh.”
The book is based on research with young carers and their families that Prof Aldridge has conducted over a number of years at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
She said: “The book was written for children, families and professionals, such as teachers and social workers and is intended to raise awareness about young carers and the challenges they and their families face.
“It will help children and families understand what young caring is and what support services are available to prevent children taking on inappropriate caring roles.
“It is also about parental illness and disability and positive parent-child relationships in families affected by illness or disability.”
Chapters include:
Why do I care for my mum?
How does caring make me feel?
What are my worries and concerns as a young carer?
How does caring affect my relationships with my family and friends?
The book is published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers and is available on Amazon.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/03
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey and named University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2019, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2019. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.
It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
A new illustrated book for children, families and teachers based on research with young carers tells the story of Carly who cares for her disabled mum – a situation faced by thousands of young people across Britain.
Author Professor Jo Aldridge, of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s School of Social Sciences, has written the narrative from the 12-year-old youngster’s perspective.
The story is particularly relevant on Thursday (Jan 31), when the Carers Trust marks Young Carers Day.
In the book, Can I Tell You º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Being a Young Carer?, Carly – a fictional character – shares her feelings about her caring role, her school and social life and her relationship with her mum.
She describes what it is like to be a young carer:
“I don’t always tell others either about Mum and about what I do to help her and Sam around the house.
"My best friend Hannah knows because she lives just down the road and she’s been to my house. And because I trust her and know she won’t tell anyone else if I don’t want her to.
“When Mum is not feeling well and is sad I try to cheer her up by helping around the house, playing with Sam and telling her jokes and stories to try and make her laugh.”
The book is based on research with young carers and their families that Prof Aldridge has conducted over a number of years at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.
She said: “The book was written for children, families and professionals, such as teachers and social workers and is intended to raise awareness about young carers and the challenges they and their families face.
“It will help children and families understand what young caring is and what support services are available to prevent children taking on inappropriate caring roles.
“It is also about parental illness and disability and positive parent-child relationships in families affected by illness or disability.”
Chapters include:
Why do I care for my mum?
How does caring make me feel?
What are my worries and concerns as a young carer?
How does caring affect my relationships with my family and friends?
The book is published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers and is available on Amazon.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 19/03
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey and named University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2019, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2019. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.
It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
