Young carers

A young carer might look after someone because they're sick or because they have a disability or mental health issues. Or, if a parent or family member has an alcohol or drug problem, they may be unable to care for themselves or anyone else, so a young carer might help look after their siblings, for example.

Some young people aren't sure if they can actually call themselves a 'young carer'. But even if you aren't the only one who is doing the looking after, you can be considered a young carer. Especially if you're doing a lot more than just helping out occasionally and it takes up a lot of your time.

Being a young carer can be difficult and may cause you to feel anxious, sad, isolated or even depressed. There are lots of reasons why you might be finding things hard if you are a young carer.

• the health of the person you care for

• your schoolwork or exams

• money, finding a job or your future

• not being able to meet and go out with friends

• feeling like you don't have any other choice

• being emotionally abused by the family member you are caring for

• having to look after brothers or sisters

It’s important to remember that you are not alone. There are more than 166,000 young carers aged 5-17 in the UK*.

• The Children’s Society works with children and young people and has lots of advice and resources for young carers on its website. You can live chat with the Supporter Care Team who are there to help from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.

HeadSpace is a personal guide to health and happiness. Designed to help you focus, breathe, stay calm, perform at your best, and get a better night’s rest through the life-changing skills of relaxation, meditation and mindfulness.

Calm is an app for meditation and sleep. Designed to help lower stress, lessen anxiety, and assist in a more restful sleep with guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing techniques, masterclasses and relaxing music.​​​​​​

7 cups Free anonymous emotional support and counselling from trained active listeners.

SAM – Self-help for Anxiety Management is an app that offers a range of self-help methods for people who are serious about learning to manage their anxiety.

• CBT Toolbox for Children and Adolescents by Amanda Crowder, Lisa Weed Phifer and Tracy Elsenraat

• Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing the Way You Think by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A Padesky

• So Young, So Sad, So Listen by Philip Graham and Carol Hughes

• The Big Book of Blob Trees by Pip Wilson

• What To Do When… You Grumble Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Negativity by Dawn Huebner

• Lancashire Libraries - Reading Well for Young People – Shelf Help

• The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust book recommendations and book club