New survey on the impact of COVID-19 on young carers

Date: 22nd July 2020
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

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The findings, gathered by Carers Trust Scotland, highlight that many young carers have experienced increased pressures due to COVID-19. This has had a negative impact on young carers’ mental health and wellbeing.

The results have been published in a policy briefing: 2020 Vision, Hear Me, See Me, Support Me and Don’t Forget Me. The survey was conducted with young carers (aged 12 to 17) and young adult carers (aged 18 to 25) and the policy briefing is the only national base of evidence which considers how young carers in Scotland have been impacted by COVID-19.

The results highlight that many young carers are experiencing high stress levels, increased caring responsibilities and difficulties in accessing online education. Key findings include:

• 45% of young carers said their mental health was worse as a result of COVID-19.
• 71% of young carers said they were more worried about the future since COVID-19.
• 58% of young carers said their education was suffering.
• 74% of young carers said they feel less connected to others now than they did before the pandemic.

Read the 2020 Vision, Hear Me, See Me, Support Me and Don’t Forget Me briefing paper for the survey results here.

Read more about Carers Trust Scotland here.