Census figures show that 175,000 young people are having to look after others - but how many more are having to carry a heavy burden..?

AN incredible 175,000 children care for a family member in the UK.

The shocking statistic has been revealed following the 2001 Census.

However, the Children's Society believes the official figure could be way off the mark and there could be many more young carers hidden from the rest of society.

The care provided may be physical, emotional or both and often includes housework, personal care and giving medication. This can seriously restrict the lives of the carers.

Nearly 1,500 children and young people caring for parents, siblings and other family members who are seriously ill or disabled took part in the fifth national young carers festival last month.

The event, held at Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, is the largest of its kind in the world and it was there that I met some truly inspiring characters.

Children from Cornwall to Ayrshire got together to have fun and forget the responsibilities that usually dominate their lives.

For the rest of the year these young people look after parents and other relatives who are disabled or live with a range of debilitating conditions.

They took part in activities including canoeing, climbing, fireworks, arts activities and a disco.

The theme of this year's festival was celebration. Organisers decided to celebrate the success of the four previous festivals at getting the voices of young carers heard. But there is still a long way to go.

An on-site radio station run by the young carers broadcast live throughout the weekend.

Programmes included interviews with MPs from around the country, by telephone and in person, as well as messages of support from celebrities including Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who as a youngster used to care for his mother.

Local MPs Alan Whitehead and David Chidgey were grilled by youngsters including those from the Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh and Fareham and Gosport groups.

Their aim was to raise awareness among teachers, doctors and social services staff of their needs.

Many of the young people I spoke to felt that teachers needed to be more understanding if their homework was late or they needed to phone home and GPs needed to have more of an understanding of their role in the home.

Peter Cooper, children's work director at South East Hampshire YMCA, runs the event.

He said: "The life of a young carer can be very isolated.

"That's why they are so keen to talk to decision-makers about what sorts of changes would make a difference to them. They want recognition in schools. These kids are working 50-hour weeks caring, let alone in education.

"That means they are the hardest working people in the UK.

"Sometimes their homework might be late or they might have to pick up a little brother or sister. It's about trying to knit the services together.

"Health services, social services and education services all know a piece of the puzzle, but at the moment they're not talking to each other."

His plea was echoed by staff at the Young Carers Initiative, a resource for young carers based at Colden Common and part of the Children's Society.

Its co-ordinator Jenny Frank said: "The festival is an opportunity to have fun, but it also carries an important message.

She said: "Young carers are calling on professionals working in health, education and social services to think about the needs of the whole family and co-ordinate the help they offer.

"This will help prevent the need for young carers to take on such responsibilities which can impact on their own development and well-being.

"There is still much action that needs to be taken so that young carers get the help and support they need and deserve."

Peter Cooper added: "The 2001 Census figure for young carers was 175,000 - a huge increase on the previous national estimate of 51,000.

"We now know that even the Census figure merely scratches the surface, as the number of largely hidden children who start caring as a result of a parent with an alcohol or substance addiction dramatically exceeds all previous estimations.

"The young carers festival would be of a bigger profile than Glastonbury pop festival if it were to reflect the real number of young carers in the country and do justice to the issues."

CARING - THE STATISTICS:

The official number of children providing unpaid care for a family member in the UK is 175,000, but the Children's Society believes there could be many more hidden from the rest of society.

Nearly 1,000 children aged just five to seven are providing 50 or more hours of unpaid care a week.

More than 13,000 young carers aged up to 18 are providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care each week.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children providing unpaid care for a family member. This number has jumped from a 1996 estimate of 51,000 to 175,000.

A fifth of young carers are aged between five and 11. More than 6,000 are under the age of seven.

The most common age of a young carer is 12 to 14, with more than 50,000 performing this role.

Source: The Office of National Statistics, the 2001 Census.