Young Carers look after family members who might be mentally or chronically ill, who are alcoholic, disabled, suffer speech, hearing or sight loss or who are terminally ill. We offer respite and a chance to talk to those aged 5 to 25 years, to reduce their isolation and keep them healthy and happy. Just under half of the young carers that we work with are caring for parents with drug or alcohol dependency or serious mental health issues.

• 54% of young carers live in lone parent families
• 1/3 regularly miss school
• 71% are bullied because of their caring responsibility
• 40% care for someone with mental health problems

“This support has changed my life and given me so much confidence – I am now really proud of ME!”
Young carer

What do young carers do?

• Household chores: washing and cleaning
• Preparing and cooking food
• Personal care: helping to dress, feed or wash
• Giving medication
• Communicating on behalf of others: signing
• Ensuring someone’s safety
• Providing emotional support

What is the Young Carers project?

Our aim is to provide support to the level that a young carer may need; from advice at the end of the phone; emotional support; practical assistance; a range of activities that offer respite and the chance to relax with other young people in similar circumstances. This support is just as important to the cared for, as to the carer. There are many young people providing care who do not realise they are a ‘young carer’.

Our services are free – including the provision of transport and residential breaks.

Services we provide

• We provide regular respite activities e.g. paintball, ice skating sports, crafts.
• Targeted healthy living projects for young carers and their families
• Mentoring 1:1 sessions
• Advocacy to ensure that young carers are receiving the services they are entitled too.
• Chances for young carers to directly influence the services that are provided.
• C4CK young carers volunteering programme.
• Special activities for young carers who do issue based work around safe caring (e.g. mental health and substance abuse)
• An initial needs assessment for every young carer to make sure they are safe at home in their caring role.

Our award winning young carers service supports young people 5-25 who have a significant caring responsibility for a member of their family. This might be alcohol and substance misuse issues, mental health or disability and terminal illness. We offer emotional support and practical help, respite and peer support.