Tuesday 16 March is Young Carers Action Day, a time to recognise the valuable skills and experience possessed by these extraordinary young people.
A young carer is a child or young person who cares, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is mentally or physically ill, disabled, or misuses drugs or alcohol. From the 2011 census there are thought to be around 6,000 young carers in Lincolnshire.
Young Carers Action Day is an annual event, organised by Carers Trust, to raise awareness of young carers and the incredible contribution they make to their families and local communities. This year's theme is Protect Young Carers' Futures.
Heather Sandy, executive director for children's services, said: "Young carers develop an incredible range of skills through their caring role, such as resilience, time-management and empathy. These skills aren't only useful for young people moving into higher education, but are also highly sought after by employers. We want to increase awareness of these valuable skills so employers are more likely to recruit young carers, and we want young carers to be able to recognise the value of their own skill sets.
"The county council greatly values the role that young carers play, and we have support available if you need it. We can offer you and your family, an opportunity to talk about your caring role, any worries you may have, and help you understand you are not on your own. We know that many young carers already have lots of support from their schools, which run groups and activities for young people, but we also offer the chance to meet other young carers via Zoom groups. So if you're a young carer who needs a listening ear or a helping hand, please get in touch."
For further information or support, email youngcarers@lincolnshire.gov.uk or call 01522 553275.