Looking after yourself
Being a young carer can be rewarding but it can also be hard work. It’s important to look after yourself, remember:
- It’s okay to ask for help
- There is support available as you are not alone
- You can ask a teacher if you are struggling with things like homework
- It’s not okay to be bullied about being a carer
If you think you might be a young carer, talk to your GP or someone at your school or college like a teacher, student services or your School Health Nurse. They will help you find support and further information.
Carers Support Services
Local young carers’ support services are organisations whose purpose is to give practical and emotional support to young carers.
In Selby, Harrogate and Craven the service is provided by Action for Children.
In Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale the service is provided by Carers Resource.
In Hambleton and Richmondshire the service is provided by Hambleton & Richmondshire Carers Centre.
The young carers project will help to:
- Support you
- Give you the chance to be yourself
- Give you space
- Listen to anything you want to talk about
- Give advice or find out information if you need it
- Enable you to spend time with young people in the same situation.
The young carers project will also help you to enjoy:
- Going out with friends
- Having time to yourself
- Your time at school
- Planning for the future
- Being away from home and not worrying about the person you care for.
To find information and contact details for your local carer support group, visit the North Yorkshire Council carer support groups website.
Getting More Help
Talking to family and friends about your worries can help you feel more supported. You might want to talk to someone outside the family like a GP, teacher or mentor at school, or even a friend’s parent. Choose someone you trust and if you find it difficult to talk about how you are feeling, you could write them a letter or send them a text. Support is also available through Childline, Compass Phoenix and Recovery College Online.
Childline
Childline provides a free and confidential telephone service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
Visit Childline website Call 08001111
BUZZ US
Compass Phoenix offers a confidential text messaging service, called BUZZ US, to young people aged 11-18 across North Yorkshire.
Visit Compass Phoenix website Call 07520 631168
Recovery College Online
The Recovery College Online provides a range of online educational courses and resources to people with mental illness.
Visit Recovery College Online websiteGetting Urgent Help
If you’ve seriously injured yourself or taken an overdose call 999 or get immediate medical advice from NHS 111.
If you are in a crisis and feel like you can’t cope, speak to somebody straight away. Search below for help or see the Urgent Help page for contact details for the North Yorkshire single point of access Crisis Service.
Things you might find useful
Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Support
Offering support to carers across the coast and vale.
Visit Carers Resource website Call 01723 850155
North Yorkshire Council
Carer support groups and organisations in North Yorkshire.
Visit the North Yorkshire Council website
Young Carers in Harrogate, Craven and Selby
Action for Children provide practical and emotional support for young carers.
Visit Action for Children website
Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Support
Hambleton & Richmondshire Carers Centre provides support and advice to carers and the families of young carers.
Visit the NHS website
NHS choices
Being a young carer – your rights as a young carer and what choices you have
Visit NHS website
Young Carers Support App
Young carers need support around them to ensure they are able to help their loved ones whilst looking after their own physical and mental health coupled with working towards a bright and healthy future for themselves.
The West Yorkshire ans Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has worked as a strategic development partner with Expert Self Care Ltd, and have launched a Young Carers Support App which is free and available to download on both Android and IOS.
Visit the WYH page