Donor Support Makes Our Young Carer Programs Possible
Yesterday marked the first day of Carers Week 2024 – an important week that encourages us to recognise, celebrate, and honour the incredible contributions of carers across Australia. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and appreciate those who dedicate their lives, often silently, to supporting others. From workplace morning teas to a simple call to a carer in your life to ask, “How are you, and what do you need?”, this week is about connection and gratitude.
At Little Dreamers, our focus is on an often-overlooked group – Young Carers. These remarkable young people, 1 in 10 across the country, give up parts of their own childhood to care for parents, siblings, or grandparents living with chronic illness, disability, mental health conditions, or substance dependence. Every day, they navigate immense challenges, balancing their care roles with education, friendships, and personal growth. And yet, they rarely ask for recognition, help, or applause.
We often talk about the hardships Young Carers face – educational disadvantage, social isolation, financial insecurity, and poor mental health. But what if we flipped the narrative? What if, instead of focusing solely on the obstacles, we highlighted the skills these young people cultivate through their care roles? Young Carers are resilient advocates, exceptional multi-taskers, skilled communicators, and We’ve just wrapped up our Spring School Holiday Programs, and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous donors for making these programs possible. These programs give Young Carers a much-needed day of respite, a chance to connect with fellow Young Carers, and the opportunity to engage in activities where they can focus entirely on themselves.
Over the past two weeks, Young Carers have…
- Learned how to juggle
- Played arcade games and bowling
- Visited the TreeTop Challenge Adventure Park for exhilarating physical activities
- Enjoyed the many benefits of nature with a day out at a creek
- Used their creativity with crafting, painting, and pottery making
- Tried out sandboarding
- Encountered sharks and rays
- Visited Warner Bros. Movie World for a day of rides
- Learned the art of karate
- Experienced a day as a Zoo Keeper
- Saw Beauty and the Beast on stage
- And so much more!
We feel incredibly fortunate to provide such a wide range of fun activities to Young Carers across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. These and all the other programs Little Dreamers Australia offers would not be possible without the support of our amazing funders.
Our goal is to expand these programs nationally across Australia, but we can only achieve this with the support of generous donors like you. If you’d like to help us reach even more Young Carers, you can make a donation here.
Young Carers gain so many benefits from attending our programs, including:
Validation of their experience
I got time out with others that understand.
Social isolation and loneliness are common among Young Carers, making them a vulnerable and often overlooked group of young people in our community. When they attend our programs and meet other Young Carers in similar circumstances, they realise they are not alone. They have a group to connect with and share their worries and hardships with, developing deep connections that can last a lifetime.
Social connection
Everyone was kind to me.
Many Young Carers experience bullying at school because of their increased maturity due to their caring responsibilities or because their family member is perceived differently due to stigma surrounding disability. Our programs provide a safe space for Young Carers to connect socially, allowing them to relax and be themselves among people who understand them.
Time for themselves
I get to do things that I would otherwise never have the chance to do.
Young Carers often make sacrifices that others their age wouldn’t have to make. Our School Holiday Programs give them the chance to create new memories and do something they enjoy without worry or guilt.
Confidence building
I felt really proud.
Our programs give Young Carers the chance to push themselves, grow their skills, and build confidence, showing them that they are more than just their caring responsibilities.
Having fun
Having fun and feeling connected with other Little Dreamers.
At the end of the day, we want our Young Carers to have fun. Their smiles and excitement for the next program remind us how important it is to create these opportunities for support and respite.
This Carers Week, we’re asking you to join our donor community and help us continue providing ongoing support and experiences to Young Carers. Your support can make a lasting impact and help us achieve our mission of ensuring every Young Carer is supported by someone or something by 2030.
A donation of $50 per month would be an incredible contribution to the costs of running our programs. With your support, we can continue to offer Young Carers life-changing experiences. Please support Young Carers by supporting us today!
Donate Now!
If you would like to talk to someone about making a donation, please contact Jacqueline Coughlin at 03 7036 8148 or email jacquelinecoughlin@littledreamers.org.au.
