Brent has the second largest number of young carers in London, 38% of whom have had problems with their mental health. They often feel different or isolated from their peers and can experience bullying and harassment.
Brent Carers Centre aims to improve their lives through providing practical and emotional support with a range of services including counselling, support groups and advice.
Being a young carer can negatively affect education in ways such as lateness, absences and reduced concentration. This reduces the young person’s ability to achieve in schools and limits their future prospects.
The Brent Carers Centre helps children like Rebecca, who, at only 16 years old, is responsible for her bed-bound mum with lung disease. The charity allocated a social worker to help Rebecca, gave her a laptop to help her keep up with school work and connect with her friends, and took her to events including a trip to the Making of Harry Potter and a Christmas party.
Global’s Make Some Noise is proud to support the Make Some Noise and Achieve Project, which aims to identify hidden carers in the borough and support their emotional and educational needs. It will provide weekly counselling sessions for young carers, peer support groups, educational support, and a monthly Young Carers Drop-in Club.