What do we think of when we say ‘Young Carers’?

For us at Bristol Black Carers, young carers are the children and young people under the age of 25 years who take on caring responsibilities.

Though many adults feel that children are not ‘proper’ carers, we know that they are, because caring is not just about physical acts of caring, but also emotional.

Some people start giving care at a very young age and don't realise they're carers. Other young people can become carers overnight.

If someone in a family needs to be looked after, young people may really want to help them. But young carers shouldn't be doing the same things as adult carers.

Who is a young carer?

A young carer is someone who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, mental illness issues or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Older young carers are also known as young adult carers and they may have different support needs to younger carers.

Children and young people are present watching their parents or guardians struggle with their ill-health, which naturally has an effect on them and their own developments and wellbeing.

What might young carers do?

• Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping.

• Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.

• Emotional support

• Personal care, such as helping someone dress.

• Managing budgets and collecting prescriptions.

• Helping to give medicine / organise medicine.

• Helping someone communicate.

• Looking after brothers and sisters.

Things to consider

The thought of the effect on that child or young person needs to be considered. They too are struggling emotionally and physically as they bear witness to the ill-health struggles of the person they are caring for.

Do we consider that their psychological and educational development is affected?

We need to take notice of the children and young people who have caring roles that are not recognised by the systems around them.

Young carers are already likely to have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers.

With the added complications of the global pandemic, young carers have missed out on even more school than before and urgent support is needed.

Caring can be an isolating experience, but having the right support in place can give young carers a better chance of succeeding in all areas.

How to support young carers

Try to provide support with a simple act of asking, “How are you?” and actively listen to what they have to say.

Do not brush off the child or young person by excluding them when decisions are being made that affect them.

All information should be relevant to their age and level of understanding.

Remember, that the caring role is most times not something we ask for but it happens when someone falls ill.

What we do at Bristol Black Carers

We are committed to providing person-centred services to black and ethnic minority communities in Bristol.

• Activities and breaks.

• Peer and community support, including young carer groups.

• Information, advice and guidance, including one-to-one support and age appropriate information.

• Emotional support.

• Advocacy.

• Supporting families and young carers to apply for appropriate benefits.

• Engaging young carers in informing service development.