Young Carers
If a parent or close family member cannot care for themselves, it is sometimes left to the younger members of the family to look after them.
They are often called young carers. Young carers are children and young people (18 and under) whose lives are affected in some way by caring for another person or helping someone else to provide care.
The average age of a young carer is 12 in the UK and the last census in 2011 identified 178,000 young carers in just England and Wales.
You are not alone, there is help available to you and it is important that you look after yourself.
National Services
The Mix – Support and information for young carers.
NHS Choices – Help for young carers.
Your Rights as a Young Carer – NHS Choices share information and help about your rights as a young carer.
Carers Trust Wales – Exists to provide action, help and advice to carers throughout Wales.
Meic – An advocacy and helpline service to support you with anything. Contact Meic daily from 8AM – Midnight on: Freephone (080880 23456), Text (84001) or Instant Message.
Useful Apps
Starter Chef – YMCA’s Starter Chef app allows you to find easy and affordable recipes that taste great. You’ll see what you need and how to make the dish, as well as keeping track of items needed for the shopping list.
Blogs and Guides
How I Found Support As A Young Carer – The Mix
Young carers: The truth behind the myths – The Mix
Nine things I wish I knew when I became a young carer – The Mix
Videos
Funding Partners
