posted by: Fiona Robertson, Principal Officer Extended Support for Pupil 3-18

Angus Young Carers

Angus Young Carers have been supporting young carers throughout Angus since 2001. They currently offer varying levels of support to around 200 young carers living in the Angus Area.  Angus Young Carers is part of Angus Carers Centre, a local charity established in 1996 and which is part of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers network.

What is a Young Carer?

A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps to look after or support a member of their family due to:

• Physical or learning disability
• Mental illness
• Physical illness
• Drug or alcohol problems
• Chronic or terminal illness

The person the young carer looks after might be their mum, dad, brother, sister, grandparent or any other person close to their family. They may look after the person all by themselves or they may help someone else. Many young people don’t even realise that they are a young carer.

Young carers may cook, clean, do shopping, look after brothers and sisters, give medication, help with washing and bathing, or even just keep someone company. Every young carer’s situation is different – it is not necessarily the amount of care undertaken, but the impact that it has on a young person’s life.

Sometimes, a young carer may experience difficulties as a result of their caring situation. They may find it difficult to find time to do things that other people their age do, like homework, go out with friends, or enjoy themselves.

Further information can be found at:

www.angusyoungcarers.org.uk/

www.angusyoungcarers.org.uk/news/the-autumn-2015-newsletter.html