Skip to main content
View Basket : 0 items

Young carers

As a young carer you can find helping someone very rewarding, but you also have the right to be looked after. Find out what young carers do, how to spot if it’s getting too much and what to do about it.

What are young carers?

A young girl speaking to her father in front of a wall with pictures hanging behind them

Being a young carer often means looking after a family member who is ill, or helping them by looking after the other members of the family while they can’t.

Young carers often do more chores than other young people. On top of providing emotional support to the person they are caring for, they may also have to learn how to nurse them or look after their personal needs like bathing and dressing.

It can be hard work being a young carer. Sometimes others might not understand your responsibilities and you have less free time than others.

Many young people cope well with caring, especially if you have support from other family members, but it’s still important to look after yourself. You have the right to be looked after too and there are lots of places and people you can go to to get help.

Getting help

Sometimes, being a young carer can get too much to deal with on your own. Talk to your teacher, school nurse, college counsellor or GP if you're having any of these feelings:

  • feeling stressed by too much responsibility
  • feeling physically tired
  • feeling worried about your relative’s health
  • struggling to cope with other people’s mood
  • having no time for yourself or your homework
  • missing school
  • feeling embarrassed about your situation
  • being bullied
  • experiencing low self-esteem, anxiety, anger or guilt

You are not alone

You’re not alone if you experience any of these feelings. Young carers miss an average of 48 days of school because of their role and 68% have been bullied at some point directly because of having to care for someone. Organisations set up to help young carers recognise all of these problems and have people and strategies to support you.

Even if you don’t feel like you need help for a problem, it is always good to have the support of others who understand your situation. Young carers groups run all around the UK to help with advice as well as giving you somewhere to let off steam and enjoy yourself.

Tips from young people like you

Activists and other young people like you share their tips on how to look after your mental health whilst being a carer.

  • Make sure to take time for yourself so that you are not always spending time caring for your family member.
    Sudipta
  • Reaching out to others, like at school/college or specific young carers groups/support services, can reduce some of the pressure and help to improve your mental health.
  • You should make sure that someone is looking out for you such as a teacher or friends, so you don’t feel alone.
    Sudipta

Where to get help

See below for a list of organisations and helpline services that have information to support you.

You might also find helpful...

Website by Element78 (opens in new window)