Guest lesson on young family caregivers at Mencia Sandrode

ZUNDERT. On Tuesday, May 7, ‘Vanzelfsprekend JMZ’ provided a guest lesson on informal care for all first year students at Mencia Sandrode in Zundert. As many as one in four young people have to deal with care at home. Surplus calls young caregivers co-makers. After all, their commitment makes a lot possible.

The first question posed to the students was, “What is informal care?” In all four groups there was at least one student who knew more about this topic or experienced informal care up close himself. In addition, Sjoerd shared his story of experience. Sjoerd is 22 years old and has helped care for his brother and mother as a family caregiver. This not only had a great impact on his social life and school performance, but also on his own health. Now he likes to share his story to make other co-caregivers aware of the impact that informal care can have on your life.

The guest lesson was organized by Surplus informal care support in cooperation with youth work Zundert and ‘Vanzelfsprekend JMZ’ and was offered ahead of the Week of Young Informal Caregivers (June 1 through June 7). Surplus is launching the campaign “How are you doing now?” during that week. The aim of this campaign is to draw attention to the group of young family caregivers and how the network around them can pick up signals of overload. By asking a very simple question.

Co-makers

Co-promoters are children and youth between the ages of 4 and 24 who are dealing with worries at home. They care for a parent/caregiver or brother/sister and in doing so make a lot possible. However, this group is often unaware that they are young caregivers and that support is also available for them. Also, young people mainly want to be ‘normal’ and are ashamed of their often difficult home situation. Through the guest lesson, ‘Naturally JMZ’ contributes to creating awareness.

Surroundings

Surplus“ campaign focuses on the question ”How are you doing?" It focuses on the immediate environment of young informal caregivers to pick up the signals around getting stuck in informal care. Think for example of teachers and sports coaches. Paying attention to these often overburdened young people is an important step towards help. Thus, together we ensure that young family caregivers receive support. This can be done through the informal care support centers or the youth work of Surplus.

‘Naturally JMZ’

‘Vanzelfsprekend JMZ’ is a platform for young family caregivers with a team of professionals and experts by experience. Their goal is to contribute to the familiarity and awareness of young family caregivers.