More than eight out of ten young carers (82%) feel lonely during the summer holidays, according to new research released by Action for Children and Carers Trust.
The survey of young carers aged 11-18 also reveals that because of the increase in their caring responsibilities, the vast majority (86%) feel more stressed or worried during the summer holidays than during term-time, with nearly four in ten (39%) feeling that way for most of the summer break. Whilst 82% feel lonely at least some of the time, nearly a third (32%) feel lonely for most of the holidays.
While many of their peers are enjoying time off school, hundreds of thousands of young carers will be at home cooking, cleaning and looking after loved ones. The research shows more than a quarter (27%) feel they will not be able to have a break from their caring responsibilities during the holidays. A higher percentage of girls (31%) than boys (16%) said they didn’t feel able to take a break from their caring role during the holidays.
The survey also revealed how the holidays pile even more pressure on young carers. It found over a quarter (26%) will spend over 10 hours on a typical day over summer caring for family members – the equivalent of losing half of their holidays – compared to one in ten (12%) caring for the same time in term time. Shockingly, nearly one in five (18%) of those polled said they will be caring for more than 12 hours on a typical day in the summer holidays.