Ferryhill School has been awarded gold status in the Young Carers Neighbourhood Charter by Family Action’s Durham Young Carers service.
The award recognises the school’s strong commitment to supporting students who help to care for someone at home.
Family Action hopes the celebration of Ferryhill School’s achievement will encourage other local schools to take similar steps to recognise and support young carers.
The Young Carers Neighbourhood Charter is awarded by Family Action to schools and local organisations that show they understand the pressures young carers face and are taking clear steps to support them.
Colin Grainger, Community Development Practitioner at Family Action’s Durham Young Carers Service, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Ferryhill School, and we’re delighted to award them Gold in the Young Carers Neighbourhood Charter.
“The school has shown real care and commitment to understanding what young carers deal with and making sure they have the support they need.
“We hope celebrating Ferryhill’s achievement will motivate other schools to get involved too, small changes can make a big difference for young carers and their families.”
To celebrate the award, Ferryhill School held a Young Carers Drop‑In where parents, guardians and young carers met staff, asked questions and learned about the support available.
Families were also invited to share more about their caring roles so staff could better understand their needs.
Family Action staff attended the session to talk about the charity’s support for young carers and why it’s important for schools to know when a young person has caring responsibilities, especially when moving on to college or further education.
The event was warmly received by families, who praised the school’s continued efforts to make young carers feel seen, understood and supported.
Cheryl Hanson, Personal Development, H&S & Careers Lead, at Ferryhill School, said: “At Ferryhill School we are committed to recognising and supporting the valuable role that young carers play within their families.
“Receiving the Gold Young Carers Neighbourhood Charter from Family Action has helped us strengthen the ways we identify and support students who may have caring responsibilities.
“Events such as the young carers drop‑in give families a chance to connect with support services, share experiences and ensure that young carers feel recognised, supported and able to succeed in their education.”
To find out more about Family Action’s Durham Young Carers Service, visit family-action.org.uk/
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
