Are you a young carer?
If you look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem - you are a young carer. You may have to prepare meals, look after money matters, give medicine, translate, arrange appointments or take care of your relative's hygiene.
There are more than 1800 young carers living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
- Around two thirds of young carers look after a parent - or both parents.
- Around a third of young carers look after their brother or sister.
Our support for young carers
Young carers have the same rights as all other children and young people. You should have access to the same opportunities and have a healthy and positive childhood. You should be able to learn, achieve and develop friendships in the same way as other children and young people.
Caring for someone also often means giving them emotional support. It can be a lot of work for anyone to handle, especially when you have school or work at the same time.
We want to support you to have the same opportunities as other children.
All-age carers strategy
We have a 'strategy' to support local carers - including young carers. This is a document which explains how we plan to support you.
- We want a professional to know as soon as possible when you start caring for someone. This means you can get support as early as possible.
- This includes having more Young Carer Champions in schools - these are people who know what kind of support you might need and can help you to get it.
- We want teachers to know more about how to support you.
- And we want to make sure you can be open about caring without worrying about bullying.
- You should be supported as you grow up and become an adult.
- There should be a smooth process for you, and the person you care for, as you move into adulthood.
- You should have an 'assessment' to check what help you need between the ages of 16 and 18. We need to understand how caring affects you and your family, so we know how to help.
- You should have choices about the next stage of your life, for example whether to stay in education or move into a job.
- Your health, happiness and wellbeing are really important.
- All the professionals who work with your family should also support your mental health.
- There should be services and information available to support your health and wellbeing.
- You should feel heard, and valued, by the professionals who support the person you care for.
You can read the full strategy, or a summary, below. There is also an easy read version of the strategy.
All Age Carers Strategy documents
Support from Centre 33
Centre 33 exists to help every young person in Cambridgeshire to fulfil their potential.
We work with Centre 33 to provide support to young carers up to the age of 18. There is a friendly, supportive team, their support includes:
- one-to-one support - someone to talk to
- a young carers needs assessment to find out what support you might need
- information, advice and support
- opportunities to meet up with other young carers
- groups in primary and secondary schools and other places across Cambridgeshire
- regular activities and events
- support during transitions such as changing schools, or moving out to live on your own.
More information about Centre 33's support for young carers
