New survey identifies steep rise in caring hours for young carers

CARERS Trust calls for more support for young carers after survey finds many feeling stressed, lonely and worried. Findings from a new Carers Trust survey reveal how an alarming lack of support, coupled with a dramatic rise in time spent caring, is leaving thousands of young carers across the UK feeling:- 'lonely,' 'exhausted,' 'worried,' 'burned out' and 'stressed.' The findings are published to mark Young Carers Action Day, an annual event led and organised by Carers Trust to raise awareness of young carers and the challenges they face.

Carers Trust is responding to the survey findings by calling on the UK Government, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and other stakeholders, to take action to address isolation among young carers and young adult carers. Recommended action includes:-

► More commissioned breaks and respite for young carers and young adult carers. Local carer organisations who provide dedicated young carer and young adult carer services are well placed to deliver these, in partnership with Local Authorities and the wider voluntary sector.

► The UK Government and the devolved administrations to do more to monitor how Local Authorities are meeting statutory duties to identify and support young carers and young adult carers, including funded support packages which help young carers, young adult carers and their families.

► Education providers, whether Schools, Colleges or Universities, need to take a more integrated and collaborative approach to support. This includes working in partnership with the NHS, Local Authorities and local carer organisations.

Survey Findings have show 53% of the young carers (aged 18 or under) and young adult carers (aged 16 to 25) responding to the survey had experienced an increase over the last year in the amount of time they spend supporting siblings and parents with care and support needs. And 1 in 5 of those reporting an increase said they were caring for as much as 20 to 49 hours more per week. Even before Coronavirus, pressures on the health and social care services meant increasing levels of caring responsibilities were falling too heavily on young carers' shoulders. The impact of this overwhelming burden of responsibility was made clear in many of the writ 10 responses to the survey. 1 young carer said:- "it's harder than anyone understands and I feel like I'm drowning." Another said:- "It's too much pressure and responsibility for something I didn't choose."¯ And a 3rd young carer revealed:- "It affected my friendships as they didn't understand why they couldn't come inside the house."¯

Those pressures have been greatly exacerbated by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Many essential services for those being cared for by young carers were closed because of lockdown. That left young carers and young adult carers to take on even further caring responsibilities. And while the Pandemic is moving into a less acute phase, Covid continues to negatively impact the lives of young carers and young adult carers. As a result of the Pandemic:-

► 59% said they felt more stressed.

► 47% said they felt less connected to others.

► 46% said their education was suffering.

► 44% said their mental health is worse.

► 41% said they were concerned about their future prospects.

The survey also highlights how society is systematically failing to provide even the most basic level of support to this vulnerable group of young people to manage their caring role.

52% of all young carers and young adult carers completing the survey said they either 'never' got support balancing studies with their caring role, or 'not enough.' And 40% said they either 'never' or 'not often' had someone to talk to at School about being a young carer or young adult carer.

Schools, Colleges and other educational settings are well placed to offer a student carer support policy. This would have a big impact in helping many young carers juggle their caring role with their studies, as well as preventing many from feeling overwhelmed. But all too often, the opposite is true, as revealed in just a few of the writ 10 responses:-

► "They don't understand when I'm late arriving to School "

► "My Mum can't get up most mornings."¯

► "My School doesn't care that I'm a young carer, they force me to come to School even when I've been up all night looking after [the person I care for], I am so burned out."¯

► "We have a no phones rule which makes it difficult to keep in contact if needed."¯

Responding to the survey findings, Carers Trust's CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:- "These stark findings underline the plight of young carers. Too many are left unsupported, struggling to access the services they need with knock on effects to their education, mental health and well being. We need more investment in social care generally and local care organisations specifically to relieve young carers of the overwhelming pressure so many are under. In addition, the NHS must ensure its mental health services prioritise young carer support. Otherwise young carers will continue to be left alone to cope with complex problems and responsibilities that would overwhelm most adults, let alone young people."
 

Northern City Centres lead UK hospitality bounceback, with 4.4% growth in new restaurants, bars and pubs in Liverpool

A survey of the UK's major City Centres has shown that Liverpool leads the UK with a 4.4% increase in restaurants, bars and pubs, between September 2021 and December 2021. The North dominated the list with Leeds in 2nd place on 3.9%, Manchester 4th on 2.5% and Newcastle 5th on 2.3%, all far outstripping the 1.6% growth shown by London. With a host of high profile new openings, including:- Barnacle, Metrocola, and Belgica in Liverpool, Northern Cities are leading the UK in terms of new openings, despite the unprecedented challenges of the past 2 years, according to data compiled by Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB), the North's hospitality trade exhibition. The growth has been driven by the Region's ambitious local entrepreneurs, as well as national operators, who have invested as the Pandemic eases, feeding the growing appetites of both locals and City visitors. The data was provided by CGA, the industry leading food and drink data insights company. Liverpool led the list with a huge 4.4% net increase in hospitality venues over the last 3 months of 2021, with Leeds 2nd on 3.9%. Edinburgh came 3rd on 3.3%, Manchester was 4th on 2.5% growth, and Newcastle rounded out the top 5 with 2.3% growth. London came in 9th out of the 14 Cities surveyed (Core and capital Cities, plus Chester and York). The fact that 4 of the top 5 fastest recovering hospitality scenes are in the North neatly echoes recent national hospitality awards, which declared 4 of the UK's top 5 restaurants and 4 of its top 5 gastropubs to be in the North of England.

The % Growth in selected City Centre Hospitality Sites, data courtesy of CGA, between September 21 and December 21 was as follows:-

► Liverpool - 4.4%

► Leeds - 3.9%

► Edinburgh - 3.3%

► Manchester - 2.5%

► Newcastle - 2.3%

► Chester - 2.0%

► Birmingham - 2.0%

► Glasgow - 1.7%

► London - 1.6%

► York - 1.5%

► Cardiff - 1.4%

► Nottingham - 1.5%

► Sheffield - 1.0%

► Bristol - 0.5%

Thom Hetherington, CEO of NRB, said the findings reflected the strength and resilience of both operators and audiences in Northern Cities. "Operators in Cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds have suffered just like the whole hospitality sector, with huge issues around lockdown costs, lost trading and staffing. So, although this initial turnaround may be small, the direction of travel is a vital and encouraging change. It offers a much needed burst of positivity to see so many new concepts, sites and launches, and to see happy drinkers and diners flooding through the door. Although the recent increase in hospitality venues is testament to the tenacity of the sector, Hetherington insists it is no time for complacency. We all understand that challenges remain, which is exactly why NRB is so important. This is the 1st opportunity of the year for the industry to come together, to share stories and advice, to meet their suppliers and to source new ones. With ideas and inspiration from NRB and the right support from Government, for example the retention of the VAT reduction. I think Northern hospitality can continue to drive the economy, supporting vital jobs and supply chains whilst also bringing good times to millions of people."¯

Karl Chessell, Director, Hospitality Operators and Food at CGA said:- "It is highly encouraging to see some of our key Cities re-energised with new investment and openings after an incredibly tough period through the Pandemic. The recovery is fragile, but there are green shoots of recovery and particular in some of the big Northern Cities. The role of hospitality is critical in the economic recovery and the social recovery of these vibrant Cities."¯

Northern Restaurant and Bar has over 300 exhibitors booked alongside a packed programme of events including over 50 timetabled demos and tastings for every area of hospitality. Alongside the exhibition, there is the announcement of the 2022 Kuits NRB Top 50, Bruntwood NRB Debate, NRB Future and new for 2022 the NRB Safari and a charity event for Eat Well MCR. Booked exhibitors include:- Stephensons, LWC Drinks, Vimto out of Home, James Robertshaw, Hopwells, Asahi UK, Halewood International, FIS Global, Rational, Diageo, Unox, Coca Cola European Partners, Tevalis, Artis, Franklin and Sons, Andy Thornton, Bleep UK, Illy Caffe, Churchill and flipdish. Free trade only tickets are available now at:- NorthernRestaurantAndBar.Co.UK.