Young Carers: 8 out of 10 young carers feel lonely during the summer holidays

For many the summer holidays are a chance to relax, unwind and reset before the next school year begins.

But that's not necessarily the case for young carers looking after loved ones.

According to new research by Action for Children and Carers Trust, 82% of carers aged between 11-18 feel lonely and stressed during the break, with a third not looking forward to the time off at all.

Experts and charities are calling on the government to provide more funding and support for young people caring for family members.

What is a young carer?

A young carer is someone who has to look after a family member - often parents or siblings - who can't always care for themselves because of illness, disability or mental health issue.

According to the Action for Children, there are approximately one million young carers in the UK.

The latest research carried out by Action for Children and the Carers Trust also revealed almost one in five young carers spend more than 12 hours a day cooking, cleaning and caring for loved ones.

Around 40% of young carers felt stressed for most of the holiday, with 86% saying the summer break is more stressful than term time.

Action for Children say only around 20% of young carers in England receive support from their local council.

Paul Carberry, chief executive of the charity, said: "Young carers are proud to look after family members, but the work they do deserves proper recognition and support.

"Young carer respite services can be a lifeline, but the support currently available just isn't enough to reach all of them in the right way.

"The Government must ensure councils have sufficient funding so all young carers have access to these essential services.

"Only then will these children begin to have the practical and emotional support they need for a safe and happy childhood."

What has the government said?

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said:

"Young carers make an enormous contribution by caring for their loved ones and we want to ensure they are supported.

"Since 2015, local authorities have been legally responsible for identifying local young carers and undertaking assessments of their needs.

"Our recently published care strategy outlines new and bolstered services to support families, including young carers, making sure the right team of professionals are put in place to help address issues earlier."