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Are you a young carer?

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after a family member who is ill, or helps them by looking after other members of the family. Being a young carer can have a big impact on the things that are important to growing up.  It can affect a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence.  Many young carers struggle to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress. However, there are support services available in North Yorkshire to help you.

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 website

Getting 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

Carers Trust

A charity which offers help and advice for young carers.

Visit Carers Trust website

North Yorkshire Council

Carer support groups and organisations in North Yorkshire.

Visit the North Yorkshire Council 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 Minds

Looking after yourself as a young carer.

Visit Young Minds 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

The Go-To is not responsible for content on websites or apps mentioned on the site. Always read the app’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy to see how your data may be used.

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