Aged 16-25 and help look after someone at home?
Can the person you look after manage without your help? If not you may be a carer.
adult
adult carer
adult-carer

We care for young adult carers

You may think that looking after a family member is normal or it’s just what you do, but if you do this regularly and someone depends on your help, you are probably a carer. Young adult carers are people whose lives are affected by caring for someone at home. Although caring can be deeply rewarding it can also be time-consuming, affect someone emotionally, physically and/or socially and impact on your education, work and finances.

1 in 5 young people are caring in England*.
*BBC survey.

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Am I A Carer?

If you are not sure whether you are a carer ask yourself:

Carers often help someone at home with tasks such as: getting washed; getting dressed; communicating; shopping; paying bills; medication; etc.
Sound familiar? You may be a carer.

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young adult
young adult carer

Our support for carers

Carers assessments

To help you get support as a young adult carer we will carry out an assessment first. This helps us to understand what life is like for you as a carer and helps you to find out what support you can get. We put this together in a support plan. During your assessment we look at:
  • Tasks you carry out at home and for the person, you care for
  • How caring affects your social life, your physical and emotional health and your access to education or work
  • What support is already in place for you
  • What other support is available for you and your family

Support work

Life is different for each young adult carer so your support plan is designed for your very individual situation and needs. You will also get help from the support work that we provide, individually or in a group.

Support workers can help you to manage your feelings, worries about caring, share your ambitions or wishes while getting a chance to build your knowledge and skills. You may want to know more about the condition for the person you care for or chat about your future.

Events and activities

It is important for carers to have time out from caring but we understand that can be difficult. Things like transport, money or your caring situation may make it hard to do these things. We try to make it easier by offering free activities to give you: a chance to have fun; build friendships with people who understand; time to yourself; and to do things that are usually hard to do as a carer. Please look at our online calendar or newsletter to find out more.

Support in education

We work in partnership with a number of schools, colleges and universities in the local area who want to support young adult carers too. Some have their own carers card, drop-in sessions and some colleges offer a discretionary bursary to carers. We also continue to support education with the Young Carers in Schools Awards Scheme.