What is a young carer?
A young carer is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is caring for another person – this could be a parent, a sibling or another family member. In the UK, there are estimated to be around 800,000 young carers (aged 5-17) looking after a family member or relative.
The responsibilities young carers carry out differ depending on the needs of the person or people they are caring for.
Caring can include tasks such as:
- Assisting with daily activities such as showering, getting dressed or getting in/out of bed.
- Cooking and preparing meals.
- Collecting and administering prescribed medications.
- Taking/picking up siblings from school.
- Housework, such as general cleaning and tidying and food shopping.
- Managing the household budget and paying bills.
- Being an emotional support for the person they are caring for.
Being a young carer affects a child’s life in a range of different ways.
As well as often missing out on school, young carers also experience:
- Difficulties with their emotional well-being and mental health.
- Poor health and psychosocial development, including physical injury.
- Restricted peer networks.
- Bullying – 68 per cent of young carers are thought to experience bullying in school.
It is also believed that only half of young carers have a particular person in school who know they have caring duties. This can make it extremely difficult for them to get the help and support they need.
Megan’s Story
The oldest of four siblings, Megan spent much of her childhood taking care of them as well as providing emotional support to her dad. He lives with a mental health condition.
Megan took multiple tasks including making breakfasts, doing the school run, preparing dinner and getting her siblings ready for bed. Despite this, Megan didn’t recognise her role as a carer for many years.
Looking back now, Megan realises her caring responsibilities began when she was around six years old. At this age, she stepped in to help her mum by watching her siblings or changing their nappies.
Her life was different to her peers
Reflecting on her role, Megan says that her life was different to that of her peers. She couldn’t join in many social activities and having friends visit the house wasn’t always an option. But despite this, Megan hasn’t let her role as a young carer affect her relationship with her family or her outlook on life.
She explains: “I love my family to bits, and I wouldn’t change them. They have taught me so much. I’m able to accept people for who they are, as you never know what’s going on under the surface.“
Today, Megan has graduated from university and is excited about what’s to come.
Giving advice to other young carers and thinking about her own future, she says:
“You’re doing an amazing job – if you feel frustrated or angry, it’s totally normal as caring can be emotionally draining. You need to make sure you save some time to look after yourself, after all, we are all only human and can only do our best. I hope to continue to make a difference in any small way I can and have a positive impact on those around me.”
Megan has created a short video from her own experience of being a young carer:
Read Megan’s full story here.
What support is available for young carers?
Carers Trust
Carers Trust is a charity which works to raise awareness for unpaid carers across the UK. It runs campaigns to initiate change and ensure unpaid carers are provided with the support they need.
Ayisha’s Story
Ayisha is 16 years old and cares for her younger brother, Shayaan, who is nine years old. Shayaan is autistic, and was diagnosed when he was three years old when a family member noticed similarities between Shayaan and her disabled son.
As both her parents are working, Ayisha helps Shayaan each day by cooking and feeding him meals, showering him and helping him dress and getting him to sleep in the evenings.
Due to her responsibilities as a young carer, Ayisha very rarely gets time to herself. She says that it can make her feel isolated. She even says that she didn’t identify as young carer until recently, so she is very grateful for the support she now receives and how this has helped to ease her stress.
Like many young carers, Ayisha wouldn’t change her situation regardless of how difficult it can be. Speaking of her future, she says: “I hope to become a lawyer in the future, and be someone Shayaan will look up to. I hope to support other young carers and inspire others with my experience in caring for someone with autism.
“I aspire to raise awareness in schools about young carers and ensure they receive the support that I don’t get as a high school student.”
To read Ayisha’s full story, you can visit the Carers Trust website here.
Young Carers Action Day
One of these campaigns is Young Carers Action Day (YCAD). Young Carers Action Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of young carers and young adult carers. It highlights the pressures and challenges they face, and the amazing contribution they make by caring for their family members and friends. It is also a day to work towards maintaining and improving the support given to young carers, which helps them to live full and healthy lives.
This year, Young Carers Action Day is focused on encouraging everyone, from MPs to people living in the community, to pledge their support for young carers.
You can sign the pledge on the Carers Trust website here.
The Children’s Society
The Children’s Society is a national charity which runs a range of initiatives to support young people through a range of difficult circumstances. Its aim is to encourage young people to make positive changes, and work towards a future that they look forward to.
One initiative it runs is the Young Carers Festival. This is an annual event held for young people with caring responsibilities. It gives them the chance to have fun, unwind, make new friends and try new things through music, games and activities. The Young Carers Festival is also a political platform for young carers to be heard and influence change.
The Children’s Society can help young carers find help and support through services in their local area.
KIDS
KIDS is a charity offering support to children and their families via services such as advice , short breaks and learning and development opportunities.
As part of their service, KIDS provides support to young carers under the age of 18 in England. Its aim is to give young carers an opportunity to take some time to themselves, socialise with young people their age. It also helps them with the demands of their caring responsibilities.
It runs regular clubs and activities for young carers in different areas across England. KIDS also provides accessible links to youth counselling and other agencies which can give expert advice and information on issues affecting young carers.
Action for Children
Action for Children provides support to children and their families across the UK, including young carers.
It helps young carers by:
- Helping them come to terms with their parent’s or other family member’s illness or condition.
- Teaching them how to cope, and guide them to build positive relationships outside the family.
- Helping young carers to plan for the future, by making sure they can access adult services when they’re 18.
- Working with schools, social care, health services, GPs and voluntary organisations to ensure young carers know what support is available.
- Supporting teachers and schools working with young carers.
You can find Action for Children services in your local area.
Helplines
Carers
For advice and support with caring issues over the phone, call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053.
If you’re deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or have impaired speech, you can contact the Carers Direct helpline. You can use textphone or the minicom number 0300 123 1004.
Childline
You can talk to Childline about any problem, no matter how big or small by calling- 0800 1111
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