European Parliament Informal Carers Interest Group – 25th September 2019 Brussels

Dear Colleagues,

The European Parliament Informal Carers Interest Group meeting took place on 25 September 2019 in the European Parliament with the topic “Enabling young carers to pursue their goals in life: Converting research findings into policy actions”.

Young carers are ‘children and young persons under 18 who provide significant or intend to provide care, assistance or support to family members or friends, who are frail, elderly, have an addiction or any other long-term care needs’.

As highlighted during a previous meeting of the Interest Group on this topic, policymakers still are largely unaware of the challenges faced by young carers and the possible measures to prevent or overcome these – rather than unwilling to address the situation.

This is why the meeting aimed to raise awareness on this topic and to bridge the gap between research and policy. 

The meeting brought together policymakers, NGOs and professionals from educational, health, social care fields and other interested parties. Members of the Eurocarers Young Carers Working Group – experts by experience – explained why there is the need to take action now and presented their plans are for a EU-wide campaign to support young carers. Please refer to the Meeting Report for details on the discussion and presentations.

The meeting also shared the findings of the EU Horizon2020 funded Me-We Project (Psychosocial Support for Promoting Mental Health and Well-being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe). The project partners shared the main research findings as well as their policy implications.

• Richard Ilett – Promoting mental health among adolescent young carers in Europe – ME-WE project
• Dr Feylyn Lewis – Profiles, Needs, and Preferences of Adolescent Young Carers
• Dr Agnes Leu – Legislation, Policy and Service Frameworks Supporting Adolescent Young Carers
• Dr Renske Hoefman and Nynke de Jong – Successful Strategies to Support Young Carers

Policy briefs at European and country specific level (Italy, the UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and Slovenia) were also presented.

With many thanks  for your attention and interest,

Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP
Luke Flanagan MEP
Sari Tervonen, President Eurocarers
Stecy Yghemonos, Executive Director, Eurocarers