Young People not just Young Carers

Following a discussion paper released by Healthwatch in 2014 that raised concern about the experiences of young carers, Healthwatch Derbyshire was contacted by Derbyshire Community Health Services with the view to jointly co-ordinating a series of Young Carers’ Summit Meetings.

The purpose of these meetings was to examine in more detail the issues that 1,600+ young carers in the County were facing.

The first Young Carers’ Summit Meeting brought together key agencies from health and social care, local authorities and public health, NHS commissioning and the voluntary sector.  The aim was to kick-start greater awareness of the plight of young carers.  There was a request that each representative at the meeting make a pledge to improve the lives of young carers.