Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 years who provide care to another family member who has a physical illness/disability, mental ill health, sensory disability, or has a problematic use of drugs or alcohol. The level of care they provide would usually be undertaken by an adult and as a result of this has a significant impact on their normal childhood.

The 2001 census estimated that there are 175 000 young carers in the UK but the figure is thought to be much higher.

Young carers are described as permanently worried children, caring can silence children through fear, embarrassment or pride. Many experience emotional problems, isolation and lonliness.

What is it like to be a young carer?

One of our members has designed a poster describing what a young carer is
click here to take a look

In order for us to provide the best service we could, we asked a group of young carers, how their lives were affected by their caring role

These are some of the things they said:-

• “Get to spend time being kind and caring for your family”
• “Frightened of telling people”
• “ Miss School ”
• “Grow up quickly”
• “Go to school tired. Can’t concentrate at school”
• “Keeping things inside”
• “Work too hard, get ill”
• “Depressed, stressed, worried”
• “Frightened the caring role will end i.e. taken into care or bereavement”

Questions on the young carer’s role

• Do you recognise yourself as a young carer
• Who do you talk to about your caring role
• Do you worry about the person you care for when you are at school
• Who would you go to if you needed help with your caring role
• Does your caring role impact on your education
• How important is it to have contact with other young people in a caring role
• Does it help to have friends who understand your caring role
• Have you ever been bullied because of your caring role
• What do you dislike about being a young carer
• Do you think other people should have more understanding of young carer’s
• What do you think we could do to raise more awareness of the impact a caring role has on young people
• As a young carer what would make your life easier ?

What can we do to help?

• Recognition of their situation
• Understanding of their problems
• Somone to talk to in a confidential setting
• Assistance to access help from other agencies
• Opportunities to join after school clubs
• Provide caravan holiday breaks for the family
• The knowledge they are not alone   

Does your Doctor know about your caring role?

If you would like your doctor's surgery to know that you are a young carer pick up a form and register with your G.P. this will help them understand your role as a young carer