Many teens and even children as young as 11 find themselves supporting ill parents while also battling to keep up with school.

The emotional toll on the youngsters can lead to problems of their own.

But help is out there in the form of support from Kirklees Young Carers and other groups.

To mark the incredible selflessness and compassion of the region’s young carers, the first ever conference has been held.

75 young carers from 22 Kirklees schools and colleges attended the event at Brian Jackson House to share experiences.

Kirklees Youth Council worked in partnership with Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust to run workshops designed to draw out personal challenges and experiences that caring for others has.

Young carers also got the chance to browse stalls offering advice about support services.

Clr Cath Harris, Joint Cabinet lead for Children and Young People said: “This was a fantastic event and I was delighted to be there in support of our amazing young carers.

“They do a fantastic job in difficult and challenging circumstances.”

Young carers can apply for a special card, recognised and supported by schools, to help them cope in their caring role.

They may get tired, be unable to concentrate on school work or homework or become worried or stressed.

Young carers can show the card to their school or college so they can make allowances for the fact that these young people provide substantial care to a parent, guardian or sibling and consideration needs to be made for them.

For example, a young carer may need to carry a mobile phone or start or leave school early or be allowed extra time for homework.

Clr Harris, added: “If you know of a young carer please get them to apply for a card to help and support them in school or college.”

To apply for a card go to: www.kirklees.gov.uk/youngcarers

“When I was 14, my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I was then technically classed as a young carer.

However, helping my dad look after my mum and clean the house, organise meals seemed like simply helping at home.

In 2009 my father was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease and I became the carer for both parents. I was in my fourth year at high school and my work began to suffer.

My auntie contacted Kirklees Young Carers and I was accepted onto the Young Carer Programme. It was only then that I realised that what I was going through at home wasn’t normal.

At Young Carers I didn’t feel alone anymore. I could talk to people and they would understand.

However, at school I became withdrawn with a short temper. My only outlet was the Young Carer group.

As my father’s condition worsened, the Young Carers’ team ensured the last month I had with him was filled with memorable experiences including a day out to Scarborough, a trip that holds some of my most memorable moments.

My father died in August 2009 and I went from being a young carer from both my parents to just being a young carer for one.

Not only was I dealing with the grief of losing my father, I had my mother to worry about. Having to deal with the stress and start back for my final year at high school, was too much.

When my attitude started to drastically change the way I was at school and home, young carers found a way to help me release my anger in a constructive manner.

I was given the opportunity to voice my situation on the Kirklees Youth Council.

I based my ideas on experience and have managed to revive the young carer card, open up networks within colleges and launch our first Young Carers Conference.

I can see there are flaws in the system when it comes to identifying and supporting young carers but if young carers themselves don’t tell the schools or councils, how can they improve?

I hope people are inspired by events such as the Young Carers Conference to help improve the facilities and give young carers a voice.”

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