Board game highlights role of young carers

A charity, which provides care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families, is encouraging schools across Wales to take up a board game resource which aims to raise awareness of young carers.

The game was developed by Choices Education in collaboration with Swansea Bay Carers Trust Young Carers, Barnardos, Action for Children.

As part of its activities during Carers’ Week, Marie Curie is hoping to distribute more FREE copies of the board game, ‘I Care… Do You?’ to schools across Wales, as its Big Lottery funded Caring for Carers project comes to an end.

The game aims to raise awareness in young people of the daily challenges young carers face. Players are asked to choose the path of a young carer or young person, with each roll of the dice designed to demonstrate the everyday issues young carers face while juggling caring for a family member or loved one with their school, home and social life.

Ahead of their half term break, Year 7 pupils at St Cyres School in Penarth played the game, to learn about issues faced by young carers and provide them with an understanding of what support they may need in time for Carers’ Week (June 12 to 18).

Pupils played the game as part of their PSE lesson and said it helped them to understand the different responsibilities a young carer could face during day to day life.

Mair, aged 11, said: “They don’t get to socialise much with their friends, and support for young carers will help them to be able to do that.”

Alicia said the game had helped her understand more about what young carers go through daily to provide support to those they care for, while Bilaal said he thought young carers needed a holiday.

As part of its Caring for Carers project, Marie Curie is exploring links to distribute Welsh and English-language versions of the game to schools and groups that support young carers and young people across Wales.

 

Susan Court, Project Manager of the Marie Curie Caring for Carers project, said: “The ‘I Care… Do You?’ game is a fun and informative way to help young people understand the challenges young carers are presented with in their everyday lives.

I am really pleased that Marie Curie has been able to help fund this important project and extend the game’s reach across Wales.”

Huw Thomas, Deputy Director of Personal Development at St Cyres, said: “Children at the school first played “I care…Do you?” last year in Carers Week, and we were pleased to be able to have Marie Curie back to the school to raise awareness with another group of children. 

“It was fun to play, and the pupils came away with the knowledge and understanding of how hard a young carer’s role can be.” 

For more information about ‘I Care…Do You?, please visit: www.choiceseducation.co.uk 

If you have questions about terminal illness, need support or just want to talk, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309. It’s for anyone affected by terminal illness, including family and friends.