A young carer is someone aged under 18 who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
 

What might a young carer do?

• Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping.
• Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed. 
• Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed.
• Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
• Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
• Helping to give medicine. 
• Helping someone communicate.
• Looking after brothers and sisters.

How are young carers supported?

Carers Support gives help for young carers through campaigns, programmes, grants, specialists services through their Network of local carer organisations and more.

Young Carers Action Day

Young Carers Action Day is an annual event led by Carers Trust. It raises awareness and calls for action to increase support for young people with caring responsibilities.

Specialist services for young carers

Carers Trust helps young carers to cope with their caring role through specialised services delivered by its network of local carer organisations across the UK. They are independent charities. Activities offered include:

• Activities and breaks.
• Peer and community support, including young carer groups and peer mentoring schemes.
• Information, advice and guidance, including one-to-one support and age appropriate information.
• Emotional support.
• Advocacy.
• Brokerage and support planning.
• Training in subjects such as health and safety, wellbeing and life skills.
• Supporting families and young carers to apply for appropriate benefits.
• Emergency planning support.
• Whole family support.
• Engaging young carers in informing service development.

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Young Carers in school

Once registered have access to a break time session with Mrs Sander and Mrs Lipinski on Mondays for a breakaway from normal school life.

Time for a chat with other young carers and of course biscuits and squash.