A young carer ID card is a small discreet card designed and developed by the young carers of TEN NE South Tyneside Young Carers Service, in partnership with a better u, South Tyneside Council and the NHS trust. The young carers ID card helps to:
- Raise awareness of young carers responsibilities and give formal recognition of their caring role/responsibilities
- Discreetly let people know about their caring responsibilities without having to repeatedly share personal details and their story
- Give them the confidence to ask for help or understanding from professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses and pharmacists
The ID card has a space on the front for young carers to write their name and on the back, a space for young carers to identify appropriate support wants and needs. These needs could include; time out from their caring role, a safe space, confidential chat, information and guidance about handling medication and support in education to name a few. The support needs outlined, come in the form of stickers, allowing young carers an opportunity to personalise their ID card, in a way that best supports them. Support needs are also visible to others, should the young carers choose to show their ID card, helping professionals to recognise, understand and implement the necessary support.
The young carers ID card can only be issued by TEN NE South Tyneside Young Carers Service. If you think you may be eligible for a young carers ID card and have not yet received one, please pop along to one of our drop-in sessions hosted across South Tyneside, to complete and collect your card. If you would like some information, please contact a member of the STYC team. This session is an hour long so pop along when you are free, and parents are welcome to stay while we completely their ID card.
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