December 2024 Newsletter - Young Carers
In this update
- ILP Family Fun Day
- Christmas Presents for Young Carers
- New Strategy 2024
- Sherwell United Church Christingle
- Plymouth Parent Carer Voice
- Useful links
Improving Lives Plymouth Family Fun Day 2024
We were pleased to have the opportunity to join our local partners at the Family Fun Day at Plymouth Life Centre, which was organised by Improving Lives Plymouth. There were lots of fun activities for families to take part in, as well as a crafts fair and information stands from local services. It was great to meet people from our community, as well as the other teams that make such a big difference to the lives of Plymouth's young people - we can't wait for the next event!
Wrapping up at Christmas with Nash & Co
50 Young Carers in Plymouth have been blessed this Christmas with the wonderful Nash & Co Solicitors very generous Christmas gift donations. We are going to be busy elves wrapping and delivering these over the next few days, also giving us a chance to check in with Young Carers and make sure they have the right support in place over the festive season.
Nash & Co have supported Young Carers in Plymouth at Christmas time for a number of years, and we are so grateful to have them championing Young Carers in our city. On behalf of Young Carers and The Children's Society, thank you and Merry Christmas, Nash & Co!
New strategy 2024
New strategy sets out support for unpaid carers in Plymouth
A new city-wide strategy is aiming to improve the lives of more than 23,000 people in Plymouth who care for others without being paid. Unpaid carers look after family or friends who need help and support due to illness, disability, mental health conditions, or addiction. This includes young carers, who are under the age of 18.
Plymouth City Council has worked collaboratively with Improving Lives Plymouth, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, NHS Devon, Livewell Southwest, and St Luke's Hospice Plymouth to develop a new 'All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy' in recognition of the important role carers play in supporting the wider health and care system throughout their lives.
The key priorities set out in the strategy are to:
- Make it easier for unpaid carers to get the support they need
- Help unpaid carers access financial information and advice
- Improve unpaid carers' health and wellbeing, including providing emotional support
- Help identify unpaid carers early and recognise their hard work
- Provide better information, advice, and communication to carers
- Offer support when a carer's role changes or ends.
The strategy has been developed with feedback from carers, who reported the need for better access to a full range of support services. It reflects Plymouth's commitment to providing carers with the resources, flexibility, and understanding they need to balance their caring responsibilities with their personal well-being.
See the new All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy at: https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/caringforotherpeople/carersstrategy
If you are over 18 and care for a family member or friend, you can find support from Improving Lives Plymouth: www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk/our-services/caring-for-carers
Sherwell United Christingle
The Children's Society was asked to attend and speak at Sherwell United Church's Toy event and Christingle. This candle-lit celebration is the perfect opportunity to celebrate, make memories, and have fun with your community. The generosity and support shown at Christingle services is overwhelming, and every year we are reminded of the compassionate Christinglers that help bring hope to young people across the country.
It was a truly moving service where we were able to talk about the vital plans The Children's Society has for the young people of Plymouth. We enjoyed it so much that we have been invited back in January for a drop-in coffee and cake!
Plymouth Parent Carer Voice
The next SEND family forum will be in person on the 10th of January 2025. PPCV is jointly hosting a parent carer drop-in session with the local authority and health. This session is being held at the Moments Cafe, opposite Poundland. The session will run from 10 am to 11:30 am and be the opportunity for you, as parents and carers, to ask questions of the leaders of our SEND services.
If you have any questions, please let us know. If you are unable to attend but would like a question asked, please email Claire at Claire@plymouthpcv.co.uk.
Unseen Sacrifices: Understanding the Educational Disadvantages Faced by Young Carers
A report prepared for the Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care, Office of the Children's Commissioner, Department for Work and Pensions, Local Authorities - Children's Services, and those working in education and those working with young carers. Read the report.
REPORT: Young carers are missing 23 days of school every year
More than half of all teachers say young carers are not getting the support they need at school. The report, Caring and Classes: The Education Gap for Young Carers, sets out the concerning state of young carers' educational attainment and opportunities in England in 2024. The findings are based on a combination of surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews with young carers, parents, and school/college staff. In addition, a series of polls has captured the views of approximately 25,000 pupils and over 8,000 teachers across England. Read the report.
Useful links
Please share your stories with us
If you are a Plymouth school and you would like to share your news, stories, or information with the wider Young Carers Network in Plymouth, please email
We'd love to share all the amazing things you are doing.
Is the information correct?
Let us know if the information on this page needs updating.
Want to create a page on the Plymouth Online Directory? Register for free and add a page; it only takes a few minutes.
Share this page
