Young Carers

Young people with caring responsibilities are unlikely to describe themselves as "Young Carers" or even "carers". Young Carers are often not identified and they may not want everyone to know about their situation.

Young Carers

It is important that Young Carers are given the opportunity to receive appropriate support and that everyone is able to recognise that a young person may be a Young Carer.

What is a Young Carer?

A Young Carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.

The youth service provides a youth project called ‘My Time’ which offers free activities and time out of the home for young people who experience caring responsibilities.

How can you identify if someone is a Young Carer?

Someone needs support + The young person is impacted + They care and provide support of some kind = Young Carer

1) Someone needs support

This could be someone they live with or someone they visit including visiting a care home.

Who might they care for?

Parent
Sibling
Grandparent
Other family member
A close friend or family friend

Why might someone need care?

Short term illness or injury
Long term illness or injury
Disability
Mental health problems
Drugs misuse
Alcohol misuse

2) The young person is impacted

This could include any of the following:

They don’t get to go out and play as much.
They are worried about the person with the support need.
They don’t get the same opportunities as their peers.
They don’t have as much time for themselves.
They need to think about the person they support before making plans for themselves.

3) They care and provide support in some way

This could be:

Spending time with the person with the support need
Looking after siblings for a parent with a support need
Housework
Shopping
Cooking
Physical care – helping someone out of bed or up stairs
Emotional Support – talking or listening to someone
Collecting prescriptions and medical supplies
Personal care – helping someone dress or wash
Managing the family budget
Helping to give medicine
Helping someone communicate

Supporting could be doing just one of the above or even something different that helps. The support Young Carers provide is not always visible!

What does My Time offer?

Weekly Sessions

Monday – School Year 9+ – at Grands Vaux Youth Centre – 18:00 – 20:30 – Free.

Saturday – School Year 5-8 – at Le Squez Youth Project – 10:00 – 12:00 – Free.

Trips

Regular trips out chosen and planned by our young people giving them the chance to have fun and gain skills.

Holiday Programmes

We offer holiday programmes packed full of fun activities during all school holidays.

Residentials

Each group get at least one residential trip each year. They get the opportunity to plan and take part in fun games and activities that allow them to have new experiences and build confidence and self-esteem.

And… IT’S ALL FREE!

Young People are welcome to turn up to one of our sessions or contact the Lead Youth Worker Jo Dove to arrange a visit.

Young people do not need to be referred however professionals can contact Jo for information.