I need help now
Do you need to speak to someone about your emotional wellbeing?
We all want to look after and care for our loved ones.
If you are a young person who looks after other people, it is important that you have the support and advice you need to look after both yourself and your family.
What is a young carer?
A young carer is someone aged under 18 who looks after a family member who is ill, disabled, has mental health challenges or is addicted to drugs or alcohol.
A young adult carer does the same but is up to 25 years old.
What you do for your family is part of your daily routine and probably feels normal – it may be strange to think of yourself as a ‘carer’!
Caring for other people is a big responsibility and can be very intense – young carers may be looking after their family members round the clock by giving them medicine, cooking meals, and cleaning the home among other things.
This can be a lot, especially on top of going to school, work and any other commitments you may have.
There is help available to you if caring is having an impact on your schoolwork or your own wellbeing.
Accepting help is nothing to be ashamed of – we all need help sometimes.
Have a look at our resources below for places you can go to for information and support.
There are also services that you can go to that can help you meet other carers. It could be a chance to make new friends with people who have a similar experience to you.
Helpful resources
Resources for young carers