In this episode, we get to know John. John has been connected with the Carers NSW for over a decade, and has been a strong advocate for young carers for many years. John chats with host Nina about how his caring role has changed from when he started caring at 5 years old to now, how important school was for John and how he started a support group for his peers, the importance of practical support for young carers more broadly and how John’s caring role ultimately shaped his career. John is now 23, lives in Central West NSW and cares for his mother living with a mental illness.

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. The Acknowledgement of Country was recorded by Lua Pellegrini, Wiradjuri Woman and young carer who grew up on Darug country in Western Sydney. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

If you are working with young carers in NSW and you would like to arrange an information session for your team/s at work or school, please call 02 9280 4744.

If you would like to be involved in making positive change in your sector and improving young carer awareness on a larger scale, check out the Carers NSW Young Carer Inclusion Network. This initiative brings together a range of like-minded representatives from all sectors working with young people who want to help improve young carer inclusion across NSW. For more information, please visit the Carers NSW website or call 02 9280 4744.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

In this episode, we get to know Rab. Rab Ferguson is based in the UK and is the author of The Late Crew, an award-winning children's book about young carers and aliens. When he's not writing about creatures from beyond the solar system, he also works for a charity in the UK, supporting children and families to read together. In this episode, Rab chats with young carer Lani about his journey becoming an author, his motivation for writing The Late Crew and his tips for anyone supporting young carers in the community.

For more information about The Late Crew, please visit: www.thelatecrew.co.uk

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. The Acknowledgement of Country was recorded by Lua Pellegrini, Wiradjuri Woman and young carer who grew up on Darug country in Western Sydney. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

In this episode, we get to know Caitlin. Caitlin chats with young carer Kelsie about her journey identifying as a young carer, caring for her mum living with a terminal illness and finding her own passions during a very challenging time. Caitlin is a university student and an editor of the university student paper, covering systematic issues facing young carers and highlighting other people’s stories – a role which she finds very rewarding.

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. The Acknowledgement of Country was recorded by Lua Pellegrini, Wiradjuri Woman and young carer who grew up on Darug country in Western Sydney. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

If you would like to speak with someone after listening to this episode, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. You can also access emotional support through Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

In this episode, we get to know Leila: a carer, researcher, artist and illustrator who supports her younger brother. Leila chats with Rose, a young carer studying Health Science who is passionate about raising awareness of carers and people living with disability in the community. Leila and Rose chat about Leila’s interests, looking after herself and making plans to move out of home.

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. The Acknowledgement of Country was recorded by Lua Pellegrini, Wiradjuri Woman and young carer who grew up on Darug country in Western Sydney. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

If you are a carer, or if you know a carer aged 18 years or older who is interested in advocating for carers in NSW, check out the Carers NSW Carer Representation Program. Becoming a Carer Representative provides opportunities to do this through policy, committee, media and public speaking activities. For more information, please visit the Carers NSW website.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

Welcome back to YC Bytes!

In this episode, we meet Nina – our host for season 2 – and get to know Lua, a young carer and artist studying Fine Arts/Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies at the University of NSW. Listen to Lua and CEO of Carers NSW, Elena Katrakis, chat about Lua's caring role, passion for art, the achievements she is most proud of, and more!

This episode of YC Bytes was hosted by Nina Longfellow. It was written and produced by the Carers NSW Young Carer team. Special thanks to our speakers who contributed to today’s episode.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW. We provide information, education and training, research, resources and a range of carer-specific programs and projects to support and raise awareness of family and friend carers in the community. For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

In this final episode for the season, the Carers NSW Young Carer team takes a look back at previous episodes and hears from our young carer podcast superstars who share some final messages for audiences to take with them when interacting with young people. The team invites listeners to think about the big picture in their work or community, so we can strive towards a society that recognises, acknowledges and is inclusive of young carers.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

The Carers NSW Young Carer Program can also assist young carers living in NSW find the right support for them. Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

To learn more about the Carers NSW Young Carer Inclusion Network, please contact the Young Carer team.

In this episode, the Carers NSW Young Carer team hears from two young carers who have a chat with each other about their experiences juggling their caring role with their studies, accessing support at university and transitioning to paid work. This episode also includes a short clip from Paul Nunnari, Director of Inclusive Infrastructure, Placemaking and Experience from the Department of Regional NSW. Paul speaks about the strengths young carers bring to the workplace.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support available to any carer across Australia.

The Carers NSW Young Carer Program can also assist young carers living in NSW find the right support for them. Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected].

Subscribe to Carers NSW monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

You can learn more about the Carers + Employers national accreditation program by calling Carers NSW on 02 9280 4744, or visiting: https://carersandemployers.org.au/ 

In this episode, the Carers NSW Young Carer team speaks with a young carer and a leading Australian researcher on young carers’ experiences transitioning out of high school and becoming independent, including moving out of home and making decisions about further study or work options.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support, and available to any carer across Australia.

The Carers NSW Young Carer Program can also assist young carers living in NSW find the right support for them. Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected]. 

Subscribe to the Carers NSW Young Carer Program monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

If you’re interested in young carer research, please check out:

• Carers NSW Young carer research project (summary of findings): https://www.carersnsw.org.au/uploads/main/Files/5.About-us/Our-research/Summary_of_findings.pdf 
• Carer Knowledge Exchange, ‘young carers’: https://www.carerknowledgeexchange.com.au/research-library/SearchPublicationForm/?Keywords=young+carers&ThemeID=&SubThemeID=&Author=&PublishYear=#results 
• Myra Hamilton & Gerry Redmond, 2020. “Are Young Carers Less Engaged in School than Non-Carers? Evidence from a Representative Australian Study,” Child Indicators Research, vol. 13, pages 33–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-019-09647-1 
• Trish Hill & Cathy Thomson, 2011. "Young carers: location, education and employment disadvantage," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 14(2), pages 173-198. https://ideas.repec.org/a/ozl/journl/v14y2011i2p173-198.html 

In this episode, the Carers NSW Young Carer team discusses young carer support and identification at school and chats with a young carer about his experience caring for his sisters while completing high school. The episode also features a NSW-based school psychologist, who shares her experiences supporting young carers in a school setting. A transcript for this episode is available here.

To download the NSW Government resource ‘Being a Carer, Being a Student and Being a Kid’, visit the NSW Department of Education website.

To request a free 'Young Carer Awareness Training' session at your school or service, please email [email protected] or phone 02 9280 4744. 

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support, and available to any carer across Australia.

The Carers NSW Young Carer Program can also assist young carers living in NSW find the right support for them. Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected]. 

Subscribe to the Carers NSW Young Carer Program monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.

For more information about Carers NSW, please visit the Carers NSW website.

We asked our guest speakers for some helpful supports and services and they suggested:

• Support for school leavers through Your Career: https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support 
• Resources for siblings through Siblings Australia: https://siblingsaustralia.org.au/siblings/ 
• Some tools and strategies for managing anxiety: https://positivepsychology.com/anxiety-tools/ 

In this episode, the Carers NSW Young Carer team discusses the journey of identifying with a young person who cares for her sister, and chats about the hidden nature of caring among young people as well as how receiving support can help a young carer look after their own wellbeing.

For support as a young carer, check out Carer Gateway or call 1800 422 737 to find out what’s available in your local area. Carer Gateway is a national model of carer support, and available to any carer across Australia.

The Carers NSW Young Carer Program can also assist young carers living in NSW find the right support for them. Contact the Young Carer team by calling 02 9280 4744 during business hours, or email [email protected]. 

Subscribe to the Carers NSW Young Carer Program monthly YC eNews to stay up to date with opportunities and updates from the team, and follow the Carers NSW Young Carer Program on Facebook.