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Chamber and committees

Young Carers Action Day 2023

  • Submitted by: Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 09 March 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-08027

That the Parliament acknowledges that 15 March 2023 marks Young Carers Action Day; welcomes the annual campaign initiative, led by Carers Trust Scotland; commends what it sees as the immense contribution that young carers make to society by caring for their family members or friends who are ill, frail, disabled or have mental health or addiction problems; recognises that the theme for 2023 is "Make Time for Young Carers"; welcomes a new research report by Carers Trust, Being a young carer is not a choice; it's just what we do, which highlights the impact of the cost of living crisis on children and young people with caring responsibilities; is concerned at the report’s findings that two-thirds of young carers and their families are affected by the cost of living crisis, and that over one third of those are experiencing additional costs because they are a young carer; believes that it is important for young carers and their families to receive additional financial support to help them with the extra costs of providing unpaid care; recognises that over 50% of young carers feel stressed because of being an unpaid carer; considers it to be important that young carers get regular breaks from caring, to support positive wellbeing, reduce social isolation and live a fulfilled life outside of caring; believes that all young carers should have a right to the breaks that they need; considers it to be important that professionals and responsible adults make more time to listen to young carers explaining the challenges that they face, so that they can better understand how to support young carers; understands that young carers want lasting, meaningful change to take place to ensure that young carers now, and in the future, remain at the forefront of policy development, and have access to the support that they are entitled to and deserve; believes that young carers across Scotland must have a fair chance to prosper in all aspects of their lives, so that they can achieve their full potential, and wishes all those involved in this year’s #YoungCarersActionDay the very best of luck in their endeavours.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Alasdair Allan, Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Graeme Dey, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Rona Mackay, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Roddick, Mark Ruskell, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Tess White, Brian Whittle