Young carers urged to enter photography competition
The organisers of Carers Week 2009 have announced their annual young carers photography competition, ‘Zoom’ and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging local young carers to enter.
Carers Week is an annual event that celebrates the contribution carers make to those they care for and to their communities.
Between 16,000 and 17,000 children and young people in the UK care for someone with a mental health problem and the Trust, which provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, recognises the valuable contribution they make in society and to the wellbeing of their loved ones. The organisation is promoting the Carer’s Week 2009 photo competition to urge young carer’s to escape their daily routines and do something for themselves.
Zoom 2009 invites young carers to take a photograph that reflects some aspect of their life, including but not restricted to their caring role. The 10 best entries will be rewarded with a Sony DSC-W55S camera, together with a memory stick, digital photography book and other accessories. The overall winner will also receive £250 of shopping vouchers, and be invited to Parliament as part of an all-expenses paid trip to London during Carer’s Week.
The Trust’s named nurse for safeguarding children, Julie Lodge said "This photo competition is a great chance for young carers to take some time out and get involved in something very different from their normal, day to day responsibilities. Young carers often struggle to find the time to focus on themselves, and entering this competition will allow them to do that, whilst getting creative and doing something positive."
The closing date for the photography competition is 4pm on Thursday 14 May. Any young carers wanting to take part can find the entry form in the carers section at www.carersweek.org. They should then send their entry form, and photo to Zoom!, Carer’s Week, 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX. Alternatively they can send an email expressing their interest to mail@carersweek.org.