Young Carers
A Young Carer is someone under 18 who looks after a parent or another member of their family. They take on physical and emotional jobs that adults would usually do, which can be scary and isolating.
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.
Young Carers might do:
- Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
- Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.
- Emotional support, such as 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.
This can be hard, and can mean that you might miss out on things that other people there age do.
For support and advice for young carers, look at the useful links below.
You can also contact Sidekick, which is a free and anonymous service for young carers aged 13-18. Young people can message any time about anything that is bothering them, and a friendly helper will find an answer and respond within 24 hours.