WEDNESDAY was Young Carers Day. Harlow MP Chris Vince reflected on the day.

Mr Vince said: “Today is Young Carers Action Day, and it is a day that means a lot to me personally as I used to work for the charity Action for Family Carers and was a teacher. I was delighted to invite the Young Carers and the staff of Action for Family Carers across Essex down to Parliament today and show them around the Houses of Parliament. I got to spend time catching up with them and hearing about their lives and aspirations.

Later in the day, in my role as the Chair for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, we held a drop-in to raise awareness for Young Carers and the need for a carers lead in schools. This drop-in allowed the young carers to engage with MPs from across the UK and have their voices heard first-hand, and champion their needs. Following this, I had the privilege to attend the hand-in at Number 10, where the Young Carers handed over a postcard to represent a book that has recently been published on Young Carers.

“Two weeks ago, I was delighted to be re-elected as the chair for the Young Carers and Young Adult Carers chair for another year. Our main aims for the year ahead are to get a young carer lead in every school and more sufficient and informed teacher training regarding the identification and acknowledgment of young carers in school.

“Having visited schools in Harlow, I have seen this great work demonstrated and know how much it means to each individual and the opportunities it allows them to have for their future”.