A Highland minister has called for free bus travel for young carers in the north to help people with money worries in rural areas.
Reverend Dr Susan Brown, minister of Dornoch Cathedral, is convinced the new Scottish Government Young Carer Grant would help provide much-needed respite for the 44,000 young carers across the country who dedicate their lives to looking after infirm and vulnerable family members.
However, the Young Karers East Sutherland (TYKEs) director fears the rise in costs for travel to access the cinema or bowling will significantly “eat into” the finances of those living in rural communities and put them at a “disproportionate disadvantage.”
She explained: “The new grant is fantastic news and a welcome acknowledgement of the particular needs of a group of young people who carry responsibilities beyond those of most of their peers and for whom life can be far from easy.
“This grant acknowledges a little of the weight they bear. But for such young folk, a well-deserved night at the cinema could see the grant eaten away in bus fares alone.”
The Highland minister is appealing for concessionary bus travel to be introduced.
She added: “While I recognise that a pilot scheme to provide concessionary bus travel for young carers is tabled for 2020- 2021, this needs to be a priority if young carers in rural areas are not to be disproportionately disadvantaged.”
Her comments came just days after a new grant scheme for young carers was launched as part of a £600,000 investment by the Government to support almost 2,000 carers.
The Young Carer Grant is available for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds who spend an average of 16 hours caring for someone who receives a disability benefit, amounting to £300 a year for successful applicants.
Dr Richard Frazer, convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland pledged his support for the grant.
He said: “In many respects, we must safeguard the right of young carers to have the opportunities for fun and relaxation, to be children.
“We will work with the Scottish Government and others to ensure that young people, and particularly young carers, in Scotland are able to flourish, and the voices of those in rural communities are heard.”
