A young carer is anybody 18 or under who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who cannot cope without assistance.
This assistance is usually due to a physical or mental illness, disability or a substance misuse problem.
If your child is a young carer, there is lots of help and support available.
Please feel free to contact Mrs Chettur our Young carer Champion, to discuss any help or support required, or available at Greatfields.
Referrals
Barking & Dagenham Young Carers
At Barking & Dagenham and Thurrock Young Carers we provide advice, information and support for young people who care for someone in their family with a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition or drug and alcohol misuse. Whether you care for your mum, dad, brother, sister or grandparent, we are here to provide help & support when you need it. Making friends with other young people who are dealing with the same things as you can really help, and you can talk to someone who understands your situation.
Our Young Carers Service supports Young Carers aged 8-18 years old.
Services we provide include:
- virtual and/or home visits
- one-to-one support
- respite activities
- training/workshops
- newsletter and information
- residential trips
- school support
- access to group private tutoring
- a chance to join our Youth Group Our Second Home (OSH)
For young carers it’s a chance to:
- have someone to talk to about your worries
- have friendly support and advice
- have some fun doing things you enjoy
- meet new friends navigating similar challenges
- foster new hobbies and aspirations
To make a referral, or find out about other services available for Young Carers, please visit our Young Carers website.
Citizens Advice has information on money, benefits and your rights http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Money Helper- Looking after a family member who has a disability, illness, mental health condition can be a huge commitment. Fortunately there is financial support available. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/benefits-if-youre-sick-disabled-or-a-carer/financial-support-for-young-carers
Need to talk?
Carers Direct Helpline
For advice and support with caring issues over the phone, call Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053
Sidekick https://sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Sidekick by Action For Children is a text message and email support service for young carers
Further Support for young carers
NHS- https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/support-and-benefits-for-carers/help-for-young-carers/
Macmillan Cancer Trust -https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/supporting-someone/being-a-young-carer