Youth Action Wiltshire Young Carers Service
Established in 1998 as one of the first young carers support projects in the country, we currently work with young carers and young adult carers aged from 5-19 years.
Young carers and young adult carers look after a family member or loved one with an illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction. They may also help to care for siblings or elderly relatives.
Youth Action Wiltshire is the national award-winning ‘youth arm’ of Community First. We work with hundreds of young carers and young adult carers every year in Wiltshire through our dedicated Youth Action Wiltshire Young Carers Service. We are proud to support and champion their rights, helping them to feel safer in their caring role and offering opportunities for them to achieve and thrive.
Wiltshire Council’s Team carry out assessments of young people who care for someone else. Anyone who thinks a child could be a young carer can refer into Wiltshire Council for a young carers’ assessment. Professionals should complete a IFD request for service form and submit this to Integratedfrontdoor@wiltshire.gov.uk. Children and parents can self-refer on 0300 456 0108 or mash@wiltshire.gov.uk
Once the referral is received, it will be allocated to a member of the Wiltshire Council Team, who will contact the family and arrange a visit. The Assessment is holistic and will look at what support can be offered to the family. Further information is available on the Wiltshire Council website.
Our offer includes;
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Support planning and reviews
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One to one mentoring and coaching programmes
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One to one time to talk sessions
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Fun and developmental respite activities. including; Clubs, school/college holiday programmes, workshops and residential projects
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Staff led webinars
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Information, advice and guidance
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Supported signpositing
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Help with education
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Skills development and nationally recognised awards
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Counselling, talking therapy or family counselling from our specialist partners
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Opportunities to join our voice groups, to inform and shape our service
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ASDAN accredited training to become a Peer Mentor, Young Leader or Young Listener and then volunteering opportunities
To remove barriers, we provide one to one support through outreach and offer free transport to and from all face to face sessions.
Contact us
01380 720 671
A translation service is available if required.
Our service (2022-2023)
young carers supported through our YAW Young Carers Service
New referrals to YAW Young Carers Service
Respite places attended by young carers (an average of 5.6 places each)
How we help young carers in Wiltshire
We have produced an infographic with more information about young carers and the support offered through Wiltshire Young Carers service between 2022-2023. Click the image below to view or download the infographic.
In 2023 to 2024 we are proud to be working with Wiltshire Council to provide wide ranging support for young carers across Wiltshire who are facing significant challenges due to their caring roles.
We are hugely grateful to all of our funders and partners who make our work possible.
“Wiltshire Young Carers Service, has stopped me being lonely. I now have people I can talk to and lots of things to look forward to”
“I’m so much happier, I have friends who understand me, I’m doing better at school and enjoying life”
“Being with other young carers means you can talk about things, without worrying about being judged or bullied”
