Can we ask you...
- Do you spend a lot of time helping someone close to you? Maybe a brother, sister, parent or grandparent?
- Do you miss out on spending time with friends due to looking after somebody?
- Do your family talk or confide in you when they have a problem or are feeling low?
- Do you sometimes have to help a family member to get up, washed or dressed?
- Do you do more household chores than other people your age? Perhaps you often shop, cook and clean for your family?
- Do you spend a lot of time looking after a family member because of their illness, mental health, physical or learning disability or drug/ alcohol misuse?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be a young carer or young adult carer.
A young carer is...
Someone, under 18, who supports someone who needs help eg. brother, sister, parent/ guardian
A young person that helps someone in their family home who may have a mental health issue, illness or disability (physical or learning) or misuse drugs or alcohol.
A child who gives up personal time to help support their family member.
What is it like to be a young carer?
There are lots of reasons why you might be finding things hard if you are a young carer. You might be worried about:
- the health of the person you care for
- your schoolwork or exams
- money, finding a job or your future
- not being able to meet and go out with friends
- feeling you don't have any other choice
- being emotionally abused by the family member you are caring for
- having to look after brothers or sisters.
It can be really hard if you feel like you're not in control of your life. It can make you feel angry or sad and depressed.
And if you can't see your friends as much as you'd like, you can feel lonely and isolated.
What support is available locally?
The Junction Foundation delivers 1:1 support and a range of age-appropriate group, social and developmental activities for young carers.
Their non-judgemental, confidential support services make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. Get in touch: Tel: 01642 75600, email- info@thejunctionfoundation.com or contact through Facebook- @TheJunctionFoundation
Carers Together provide a young adult carers support service. Get in touch by phone: 01642 488977, email- info@carerstogether-rc.org.uk or Facebook- @CarersTogetherRC
The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service is supporting children and young people experiencing mental health problems. Contact by phone: 0300 013 2000
Headstart South Tees is supporting school-aged children and young people in Middlesbrough with low-level emotional difficulties. Contact the team through Facebook or by asking in school or speaking with The Junction.
Middlesbrough Recovery Together is a confidential drug and alcohol service for adults and young people in Middlesbrough. Phone: 01642 876323 or contact via Facebook: @CGLMiddlesbroughRecoveringTogether
Next Steps Transitions Service, delivered in partnership The Junction and Carers Together are here to support carers aged 15- 25 years in your caring journey. Next Steps offers a range of support dependant on your circumstances to help you to manage your caring responsibilities. Find out more. Telephone: 01642 756000 or 01642 488977 Text/WhatsApp: General information-07767117556 Monday to Friday 9-5pm Email: info@carerstogether-rc.org.uk or Holly.mcfarlane@thejunctionfoundation.co.uk Visit their; Facebook for the latest information, activities and events.
Kooth is a fantastic, free and confidential, online support tool for young people. Take a look at this video which explains what it is:
Other useful websites and resources:
Young People National Youth Advocacy Service
