It’s estimated that there are at least 700,000 young carers in the UK. Young carers may look after parents, siblings or other family members, and may handle a huge range of tasks from personal care such as dressing and washing, to household chores, to managing family finances or arranging health care or benefits.

During lockdown, many young carers have lost the support and respite that they would normally receive. Young people who may not have been carers before are now supporting family members newly ill, or helping parents to manage childcare as schools are closed.

We launched our first North Tyneside Carers’ Centre young carers creative writing competition in March as one way to help combat the loneliness, boredom and isolation young carers felt and were delighted to have guest judge Anne Cleeves on board.

The competition came to a close at the end of May and we can now proudly announce our winners were:

·       Secondary Category: Megan W

·       Primary Category: Ethan S

·       Runner up: Yasmin Y

Megan and Ethan will each receive a £40 gift voucher at a place of their choice. Yasmin will receive a £25 Gift Voucher as our runner up.

Thank you to everyone who took part, there is no shortage of talent from young carers within North Tyneside – we look forward to next years’ competition!