A mid-way update from Pete’s Pedal – powering on!

Young carers, not out of choice but out of necessity, find themselves with the enormous responsibility of caring for parents, siblings or other family members. They face a huge challenge as they try to juggle school and looking after someone else when they are just a child. The Covid-19 pandemic made it even harder for them to access practical support or get a break from their responsibilities. The restrictions of lockdown put an even greater strain on their mental wellbeing.

Despite these very difficult circumstances, young carers rarely complain. One child aged 12, described herself as a ‘mini adult’ with no option to pick and choose when she gets to do the things she likes to do, like spend time with friends and take part in activities outside the home.

Once Covid restrictions lifted the Green Team partnered with Edinburgh Young Carers to provide opportunities for respite and connection through outdoor activities with other children shouldering the same responsibilities. The young carers who took part described appreciating having people they could talk to with support there if they needed it. They spoke about how they enjoyed getting a ‘break from everything’ which helped to ‘take my mind off lots of things in real life that are happening’. One young carer described their time in nature:

‘it makes me feel free, happy and relaxed’.

Peter Wright, founder and Patron of the Green Team is a firm believer in the healing power of time spent in nature. At 74 he is currently taking on a 941km cycle around the watershed of Scotland to raise funds for the Green Team’s ‘Time in Nature’ programme. This will provide opportunities for young carers to have time out from their caring duties, enjoy being outdoors making positive and lasting friendships with other children.

Pete’s Progress

Peter is completing the solo cycle over 24 days finishing at Duncansby Head on September 15th. Now more than half-way through this gruelling challenge, you can keep up to date with his progress on our social media channels or find out more here.

How you can support Pete’s Pedal

To support Pete’s Pedal and help young carers to enjoy just being young with time in nature, visit his fundraising page or scan the QR code below.