A Young Carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after or helps to look after someone who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Young Carers can take on a variety of roles including practical tasks or emotional support.

 

What might a Young Carer do?

• Cooking, housework and shopping
• Helping cared for in/out of bed, lifting
• Listening to worries or concerns
• Helping the cared for get dressed
• Personal care
• Managing family budgets and bills
• Administering or collecting medication
• Help with communication
• Look after their brothers or sisters

 

Each caring role will look differently, and they may provide care that is not listed above – this does not mean they are not a Young Carer.

 

Impact of caring

Having a caring role can affect education and attainment, mental health, social time and opportunities, and having to put the needs of the cared for before their own.

Young Carers can have a higher level of resilience than their peers, a great set of life skills, and the ability to talk with adults and professionals about their caring role and form a closer bond with the cared-for person.

For more information about how we can help contact us at Devon Carers Helpline on:

telephone: 03456 434 435 or email: [email protected]