Young Carers

Many young people do not realise that they are

Young Carers!

A Young Carer is…A young person under 18 years old who looks after a mum, dad, brother or sister or other relative who has:

an illness

a disability

a mental health problem

a problem with drugs or alcohol misuse

Helping with tasks usually done by an adult

e.g. cancer, epilepsy

e.g. learning difficulties, arthritis

e.g. depression, phobia e.g. school phobia

e.g. can’t stop using drink or drugs

I’m Simon age 12. I live with my mum and sister Sarah, age 7.

Mum has bad arthritis and asthma.

On bad days, mum is so ill she finds it difficult to walk.

I often have to call out an ambulance for mum, if she has fallen or had a bad asthma

attack.

Meet Simon who is aYoung Carer…

are bullied

don’t tell anyone they look after someone

miss school because of their caring role

Many Young Carers…

Helping with tasks usually doneby an adult

Bathing, dressing, toileting

Listening, shoulder to cry on

Giving medecine or injections

Cooking, cleaning, shopping, ironing

and more…

What Young Carers do…

Sad Angry Upset Tired

Muddled up Worried Guilty

Low & moody Happy & rewarded

Lonely or ‘different’

That no-one understands

They want a break

They need some fun

Unappreciated

Young Carers sometimes feel…

Help for Young Carers

Help from: School,Local Young Carers Service and other

agencies

If you think you are a Young Carer you can…

• Talk to your school

•‘ Young Carers Co-ordinator’

Name of Primary

Name of Co-ordinator

• Talk to any Teacher at school

• Log on to: www.youngcarers.net

In My Shoes: Lewisham Young Carers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZK_5GVdua8

Slides by J Malcolm