We’re in an exciting time of youth political engagement and social movement leadership. Within those movements, there is a petition that has been started by 19 year old young adult carer Lucy Prentice of Pencadar, Wales. Lucy has been a carer for her disabled mother since age 11 and attends college part-time. She, like many other young adult carers, would like to attend college full-time, but the current law in place for the Carer’s Allowance does not allow study on a course for more than 21 hours a week, even if they meet the 35 hour a week caring requirement to claim the Carer’s Allowance. Young adult carers like Lucy are forced to decide whether to claim the Carer’s Allowance of £62.70 a week, or to be in full-time education. The current law overlooks that it can be advantageous for young adult carers to maintain full-time education whilst providing unpaid care for their families. Continuing in education is also import for their future careers. As Lucy says, the Carer’s Allowance rule prohibits young people like her from “reaching their full potential”. Her petition calls on the government to exempt young carers from the 21 hour rule of the Carer’s Allowance. Please consider signing the petition here.
Feylyn Lewis
F.M.Lewis@sussex.ac.uk