Who is a Young Carer?

Young Carers are a child or young person looking after a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health issues, or drug and alcohol issue. Young Carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would be the same as an adult carer.

What does a Young Carer do?

The caring can involve physical care such as personal care for a parent, giving medication, helping someone get up, get dressed or to get around. Or it could mean providing emotional support for someone who has a mental health problem or substance addiction. In addition, many Young Carers are also responsible for looking after younger brothers and sisters and household chores, including budgeting and managing money.

How can their caring role affect them?

Invisible Young Carers that have not been identified can become frustrated by the pressures they are under, this can lead to a domino effect including tiredness, loneliness, disruption in school and often low attendance, most importantly no time to be a child or young person or simply to have fun and relax.

What can 121 Young Carers do to help?

They support Young Carers aged 8-18 in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley by providing;

• Home visits
• Meet other young people in similar situations
• Positive group activities and outings e.g. to the theatre, Bowling, Ice Skating
• Regular Chill Clubs
• Workshops e.g.  emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, money management
• Opportunity to join the 121 Young Carers Forum