We're delighted to announce that Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh has launched a new petition to call for free travel for young carers in Sheffield, in partnership with Sheffield Young Carers.
Providing young carers with a free bus pass will let them undertake their caring responsibilities more easily, carry on with their education, training or employment, and potentially enjoy a social life - which many young carers currently miss out on.
Launching the campaign on Young Carers Awareness Day, Louise Haigh MP said:
“Young Carers give up so much to help others, often from a very young age, and it’s only right they’re provided with some support in their own lives too. We have thousands of young carers in Sheffield and they’re all too often forgotten, which is why the visibility of Young Carers Awareness Day is so important.
“Travel concessions for carers vary hugely across the country, and some councils work with transport authorities to give young carers a free travel pass, allowing them to get to and from school and their caring responsibilities without added financial worry – this is a scheme Sheffield should absolutely get behind.”
Many of the families we support here at Sheffield Young Carers simply can’t afford public transport. And yet young carers often rely on it far more than children and young people who don’t have any caring responsibilities – for example, to accompany the person they care for to medical appointments, or to get home to check on them as soon as they can after school, college or work.
That's why we are so grateful to Louise for highlighting this important issue for young carers in Sheffield. Please help us to help them - sign and share the petition today!
