A young Dunfermline carer has issued a plea that youngsters looking after relatives with alcohol and drug addictions get the help they need
Charlie Bowie, 17, has created a campaign to raise awareness of the different types of caring.
In it she stresses that relatives who look after a loved one with an alcohol or drug addiction could also be classed as carers.
The Woodmill High pupil wants to spread the message that support isn’t just available for people who care for relatives with disabilities.
With Fixers, the charity which gives young people the chance to create a media campaign, Charlie and a group of young carers have created an animated film, which they plan to share in schools and colleges.
Charlie has cared for her mum, Debbie McGowan, 40, since she was 11.
Although her mum does not have substance abuse issues, Charlie said there are youngsters who caring for parents with addictions who do not realise they qualify for support.
“When people think of carers, they often think that they support people with disabilities, but that’s not always the case.
‘I go to a young carer’s group once a month, I have one-to-one meetings every two weeks and I attend a focus group.
‘That’s where I found out that there was quite a big gap in terms of support – and that family members of people with substance abuse issues aren’t always getting the help they need.
‘I want to draw attention to a less typical type of carer and encourage people to come forward and talk about what they’re going through,” she said.
A Scottish Government report has shown there are an estimated 100,000 young carers in Scotland, but only 3,500 are supported by dedicated young carers’ services.
Accessing support has been invaluable for Charlie, who became her mum’s carer when she fell and fractured her back.
The accident triggered fibromyalgia, which causes pain all over the body.
Charlie said: ‘It triggered the symptoms, but for a while nobody really knew what was wrong.
‘We tried to keep her up to her normal standard of living, but it got really difficult.
‘At first I really felt the pressure of being a carer, but it’s been fine because I have such good support.
‘Some people are scared to ask for help because they don’t know what the outcome is going to be, but we want to show people that something positive can be gained in asking for support.”
Fixers works with young people aged 16 to 25 across the UK by providing them with resources to help them campaign on issues they feel strongly about.
