The work was the culmination of a year long consultation process supported by the Young Carers workers network and Children in Wales.
Three regional meetings were held in February half term, and a further round of regional meetings held during the summer. Each carers project was invited to send two young carers to represent their group at the meeting. These groups elected four young carers to represent the regional group at the all Wales meeting planned for October.
In early October the representatives from the regional meetings met together at Gregynog, near Newtown, to prepare for the meeting.
The main areas raised by the young carers were:
How it feels to be a young carer"We are not just young carers we are children as well. We are just like others but we need more support for our families. We are still children / young people but we just need a little more support"
Support for young carers"We need more time to relax. You could help a young carer be a child again, which they have not been able to be "
Funding issues"More money for the projects for more activities. More workers to help and listen to us. Funding for residential to be able to go somewhere that the rest of the people can't go"
Relationships with professionals"Doctors and health workers need to listen to young carers when looking at treatment for adults. Social workers need to listen better. Schools to relax rules for young carers course work and homework"
Advice and information"Advice on DLA. Benefit forms are a nightmare, problems with accessing benefits"
"Young carers should be given all the information needed about getting carers allowance as soon as they become a young carer"
Transport"Travel is expensive. Financial help for transport e.g. taxi for doctors’ appointments or hospital appointments. Access to subsidised taxis where there is no public transport suitable."