Young Carers

A young carer is a child or young person aged 5 to 18 years whose lives are affected by caring for an unwell member of their family. They care for a relative who may have a physical or learning disability, a long-term illness, a terminal condition, mental illness, or difficulties with drug or alcohol use. Caring may be physical, emotional or both. Young carers often do a lot of helpful things, such as:

• Cook and prepare meals
• Help with the shopping
• Clean around the house
• Manage medicines or money
• Give personal care
• Help their special person move and get out of the house
• Look after their siblings
• Give emotional support
• Keep an eye on things generally