Support for young carers
If you are a young carer or young adult carer, support is available to help you. A young carer is anyone aged 25 or under who provides care for a friend or family member who, because of their disability, health condition, mental illness or addiction, cannot care for themselves or cope without support. Older young carers are classed as young adult carers. You might help with tasks such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, or personal hygiene. You may also help manage the person's money or benefits.
Carers Trust has a network of carer organisations throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, offering information, advice, care in the home, and practical support for all ages. If you are a young carer, you may be able to find support here:
- Find out more about being a young carer at carers.org. You can also find a number of useful links on their page here.
- Find your local carer service here.
- The Children's Society and Care information Scotland may also be able to help find carer services near you.
- Young Scot is Scotland's national youth information service, and contains stories from other young people on their experience caring for someone along with valuable information.
- Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. You can visit the website, or freephone on 0808 80 23456.
- Young Carers can apply for Carer's Allowance if the meet the criteria.
- Young Carers in Scotland between the ages of 16 and 18 can apply for the Young Carer Grant.
