Young carers

Young Carers are children or young people aged under 18 who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, poor mental health or issues with drugs and alcohol. They may be taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that an adult would normally do.

The person they care for could be their:

• mum or dad
• brother or sister
• grandparent or other relative.

The support a young carer provides could include:

• housework, cooking and shopping
• looking after younger brothers and sisters
• helping someone to get washed and dressed
•  making sure the person they care for is safe
• talking to other agencies (for example, the doctor) about the person they care for
• giving medication
• giving emotional support

It's not always easy being a young carer. Some of the problems young carers might face are:

• difficulties with school and doing homework
• not enough time to see friend
• worrying about the person they care for
• feeling different from others
• other people not understanding what it's like being a young carer/Young adult carer

Young adult carers are carers between 16 and 25 years old. They may be juggling their caring responsibilities with:

• the demands of further or higher education
• looking for work or navigating the benefits system
• starting their working lives
• a serious emotional relationship

There are services that support young carers/young adult living in Carmarthenshire.  All services offer individualised support based on the needs identified by the young Carer. This can include: 1-1 support, peer group support and/or advocacy.