Information for Young Carers
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone that they live with who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.
Who are Young Carers?
There are at least 376,000 young adult carers in the UK. Unlike most kids who help out at home, young carers take on significant responsibilities to support loved ones who struggle. From helping with daily tasks to emotional support, their responsibilities can affect many aspects of their day-to-day life.
- Health: Many experience headaches, fatigue, and sleep problems.
- School: Missing classes, struggling with workload, and feeling unsupported by teachers are common issues.
- Social life: Caring can decrease opportunities to connect with peers and participate in activities.
- Self-confidence: Juggling responsibilities can lead to stress and anxiety.
Despite these challenges, Young Carers are incredibly resilient. They develop valuable skills like compassion, responsibility, and resourcefulness.
Who we support
We support Young Carers (8-17 years) by offering breaks, and activities, to improve their health and wellbeing.
Carers Trust Tyne & Wear has carried out extensive research and consultations with Young Carers and unearthed some staggering local statistics:
- Over 40% of young carers in Gateshead miss meals.
- Nearly half have difficulty sleeping.
- Many feel isolated and worried about their loved ones.
- Almost 30% reported feeling unhappy with their life.
Being a Young Carer is challenging, but we’re here to help. If you’re a Young Carer in Gateshead, you don’t have to go it alone. We offer resources and support to help you thrive.
Caring affects you, and how we can help
Being a Young Carer comes with a variety of challenges, and juggling the demands of caring can take a toll on many aspects of life. At Carers Trust Tyne & Wear, we offer activities aimed to help with your health and general well-being.
Health & well-being
Caring can be physically and emotionally demanding. We offer resources on managing stress, maintaining health, and supporting your mental well-being.
Social connection
Caring can be isolating, making it difficult to leave the house and socialise. Explore resources on getting a break and maintaining social connections.
Learning & education
Caring responsibilities may impact your school or educational opportunities. We can help support you to minimise impact on your studies
Let’s talk about how we can help and support you in caring.
We’re here to help – just get in touch.