What is a young carer?
A ‘Young Carer’ is a name that means a child or young person who looks after, or helps to look after, someone in their family who:
- is physically ill
- has mental health issues
- has a disability
- has a drug or alcohol dependency.
Who are young carers?
- Anyone can become a young carer at any time.
- Caring can go up and down – people can be fine sometimes but need a lot of care at other times.
- Sometimes you might be helping to look after someone but not think you are a ‘Young Carer’… but you can still get help.
- Even if you’re not a young carer, you can help other young carers by being a good friend.
What do young carers do?
A ‘Young Carer’ may be helping in lots of ways, such as:
- Housework, shopping and cooking
- Looking after younger brothers or sisters/taking them to school
- Helping someone get washed or dressed or move around
- Listening to someone’s problems/keeping them company
- Helping someone take their medication
- Going to hospital and doctors visits with them
- Paying household bills
How can caring affect you?
- Missing school
- Being late for school
- Feeling very tired or falling asleep in class
- Not being able to concentrate at school
- Not being able to get homework or coursework done
- Can’t join in activities after school or go out much
- Bullying
- Hard to make friends
- Feeling really worried, frightened, angry or sad
Good things about being a Young Carer
- Feeling close to your family
- Feeling proud because you are helping your family
- Feeling safe because you know you are doing a good job looking after your family
- Learning lots of things that will help when you are grown up
- Getting to spend lots of time with the people you love
If you think you might be a Young Carer talk to Mrs Boyle.
