Young Carers
A young carer is a child or young person under 18 who takes care of a family member who needs support because of a long term illness or disability.
Some illnesses and disabilities can be seen, others cannot. They include:
- Physical illness or disability
- Mental ill health
- Drug or alcohol problems
The care they provide would usually be done by an adult and affects the child or young person’s everyday life.
Young Carers often do not think of themselves as carers and are not recognised as such by other people like friends, teachers, doctors and other family members.
Some of the things a Young Carer might do include:
- Shopping
- Housework
- Keeping the person in need of care company and cheering them up
- Collecting benefits and paying bills
- Cooking
- Help the person in need of care to be washed and dressed
- Reminding about appointments
- Going with the person in need of care to appointments
- Reading and explaining letters
Impact on Young Carers
Young Carers say that caring sometimes affects:
- Their school/college work
- Having time with their friends
- How they feel about themselves
Support and information
Gloucestershire Young Carers supports young people up to age 25
Phone: 01452 733060
Email: mail@glosyoungcarers.org.uk
Website: http://www.glosyoungcarers.org.uk/
