Young carers from military families have launched a campaign in Fife schools to raise awareness and encourage greater numbers of young people with caring responsibilities to get support.
A group of young carers worked with Forces Children Scotland and Fife Young Carers to produce social media videos and posters to launch during Carers’ Week.
Erin Sheldon, Gracie-Jo Trotter and Heather Pollock shared their experiences to inspire young people, who may or may not be aware that they are young carers, to learn more about the support on offer.
The campaign received funding from the National Lottery Big Community Fund to highlight additional unique challenges young carers from armed forces and veteran families overcome, such as taking on greater responsibilities when a parent is deployed.
Gary Seath, from Forces Children Scotland, said: “The young people involved in our ‘Ignite’ Project have co-developed what has proved a very powerful, emotive series of short social media videos as well as two bold, vibrant and engaging posters which hopefully resonate with peers and families from serving, reservist and veteran backgrounds across Fife.
“At Forces Children Scotland, we can support young carers from armed forces and veteran families in many different ways, and we are very grateful to Heather, Erin and Gracie-Jo for sharing their lived experience.”
Jodie Burn, from Fife Young Carers, said: “This project was a great opportunity for young carers to work together to highlight that support, from organisations like Forces Children Scotland and Fife Young Carers, is available for young carers with a forces background.”
Download the posters to raise awareness in your child’s school:
Forces Children Scotland Young Carers – Secondary School Poster
Forces Children Scotland Young Carers – Primary School Poster