Ep 13: Nurturing Compassion: Margaret Skagias

In a world often bustling with its own concerns, it's the unassuming stories of individuals that illuminate the true essence of compassion and resilience. In this episode, we sit down with Margaret Skagias, the visionary founder of the non-profit organisation 'Caring Kids.' 

 

Margaret reveals Caring Kids' inspiring mission to aid young carers—children who offer unpaid care to family members with chronic conditions. She highlights the often-overlooked resilience and compassion of these individuals. Margaret also explores the impact of respite camps, providing much-needed breaks and addressing emotional connections to caregiving.

 

 

Margaret also discusses the psychological impact on young carers and emphasizes the need to acknowledge their challenges. She shares her struggles in running the charity, underlining the value of seeking advice and balancing charitable efforts with personal life. Her resilience, decision-making, and adaptability have grown through challenges, resulting in meaningful self-discoveries.

 

Tune in now and have a glimpse into Margaret's transformative journey, to embrace personal growth and contribute positively to their communities.

 

Episode Highlights:

• The focus of Caring Kids is on providing support to young carers
• Definition of young carers and their often overlooked role
• The impact of respite camps on young carers
• Long-term psychological effects on young carers due to their responsibilities
• Statistics on the prevalence of young carers in Australia
• Challenges and hurdles in running a charity, including decision-making and balance
• Personal growth and self-discoveries through charity work
• The importance of mentors and seeking advice in the charitable sector
• Advice for individuals looking to make a positive impact
• Margaret's perspective on rewriting her own life story and ongoing transformation.

About Margaret Skagias:

Margaret Skagias is a qualified Social Worker and Public Health graduate who founded the registered charity CaringKids in 2014 to address the practical support needs of young carers.  With over 20 years of experience working across government and non-government sectors within Australia and overseas, Margaret has delivered and coordinated individual, group and community-based programs for children, youth and adults.

Hearing first-hand accounts of young carers’ experiences whilst delivering young carer respite camps was the inspiration for Margaret founding CaringKids.  CaringKids create toy boxes filled with toys, games, sports equipment and school stationery, delivering them to the doorstep of children with caring responsibilities across Australia.

Connect with Margaret:

• Website |  www.caringkids.org.au
• Instagram | @cairng_kids
• Facebook | www.facebook.com/caringkidscharity
• LinkedIn | CaringKids