Carer Support Dorset joins LUNG Theatre in raising awareness of young carers

Carer Support Dorset (CSD) is joining forces with LUNG Theatre and Bridport Arts Centre to raise awareness and help identify Dorset’s young carers.   

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after or helps to look after someone. The person they care for might be a parent, grandparent, sibling or a close relative. This often means doing things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, giving medication or just talking and helping when the person they care for is struggling. 

On Friday 12 November, LUNG will be heading to Bridport Arts Centre to run performances of their “Who Cares” tour. This tour aims to raise awareness and challenge perceptions of young carers and to use theatre to identify and signpost hidden young carers to local services.  

The first performance will be a closed-show for students of The Sir John Colfox Academy and Woodroffe School. A 7.30pm performance will be open to the general public and will be followed by a post-show Q&A session with various professionals, including CSD’s Chief Executive, Judy Walker, and other young carer services locally. CSD staff will also be present to speak to people about young carers.  

As well as this, there will be a Continuous Professional Development workshop for professionals on how they can support young carers.  

Judy Walker, Chief Executive, Carer Support Dorset comments: 

“We are delighted to be working with LUNG Theatre on raising awareness of young carers. It is estimated that there are over 800,000 young carers in the UK, with many of them being ‘hidden’. BBC research also indicates that 62% of young carers experience bullying. There are lots of ways in which Carer Support Dorset, a young carer’s school and other organisations can help support them through their caring journey.  

“By working closely with the community, the Sir John Colfox Academy and Woodroffe School, we are hoping there’s more recognition for young carer and that more young carers step forward to receive the support they deserve.” 

Matt Woodhead, Co-Artistic Director, LUNG Theatre says: 

“Carer Support Dorset is so passionate and supportive of young carers. It has been great working collaboratively with them on this project to raise awareness for young carers in Dorset.” 

Tickets for the evening performance of “Who Cares” are available here.  

Young carers can find out more information on Carer Support Dorset’s service by visiting www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/young-carers/.