Young Carers Action Day

That the Parliament acknowledges that 16 March 2022 marks Young Carers Action Day, and welcomes the annual campaign initiative, led by Carers Trust Scotland; commends what it sees as the immense contribution that young carers make to society by caring for their family or friends who are ill, frail, disabled, or are experiencing poor mental health or dealing with addiction; recognises that the 2022 theme is "Taking Action on Isolation"; welcomes the research report by the Carers Trust, It’s harder than anyone understands: The experiences and thoughts of young carers and young adult carers, which highlights feelings of isolation experienced by children and young people with caring responsibilities; is concerned at the report’s findings that a third of young carers feel lonely and almost half feel less connected to others since the start of the pandemic; considers that it is important for young carers to get regular breaks from caring to reduce isolation; understands that young carers want lasting meaningful change to take place to ensure young carers now, and in the future, remain at the forefront of policy development and have access to the support that they may need to tackle and Take Action on Isolation; believes that all young carers should have a right to the breaks they need to support positive wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and live a fulfilled life alongside caring; urges that action is taken to increase the range of options for short break services to meet the varied and individual needs of young carers; considers that young carers across Scotland must have a fair chance to prosper in all aspects of their lives so that they can achieve their full potential, and wishes all those involved in this year’s #YoungCarersActionDay the very best of luck in their endeavours.