'Stars align' for young carers as further education support bid launched

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Councillors have backed a push to help young carers enter college and university after 'the stars aligned' at a recent South Ayrshire carers' event.SNP councillor Julie Dettbarn brought a motion to the council which will see chief executive Eileen Howat write to the first minister to ask the Scottish Government to consider extending the enhanced bursary to young carers to 'ensure they benefit from equal access to further education and are recognised for, and not disadvantaged by, their significant contribution in providing care and support to their loved ones'.Councillor Dettbarn told colleagues how the motion came about after the premiere of "The Weekend" - an awareness raising film created by South Ayrshire Young Carers.The screening was held at Ayr County Buildings in May and tells the story of three young carers and how their caring roles impact them in different ways over the space of a single weekend.Cllr Dettbarn said: "Sometimes the stars align and the right person just appears at the right time.

to start to make a difference and so it was when South Ayrshire young carers screening of brilliantly insightful film "The Weekend" was held at county hall last month."She explained how Elena Whitham, the MSP for Carrick,.

Cumnock and Doon Valley and the Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy, asked the young carers what the Scottish Government could do to support them.One responded that the extension of the current bursary of £8,100 per year provided to care experienced young people could also be a massive boost to young carers.Councillor Dettbarn explained that young carers faced many of the same barriers to further and higher education that care experienced young people do.She said: "Those with significant caring