Who are young carers?
A young carer is a young person, under the age of 18, who has a caring responsibility. This is usually for a family member who has a disability, long-term illness, mental illness (including depression, anxieties) or drug/alcohol substance misuse.
We support young carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.
Upcoming events
You can read about our latest update on upcoming events for young carers here.
Supporting siblings to have time together
We know that for many brothers or sisters of children with disabilities or additional needs, they can miss out on breaks from their caring role, or on spending quality time with their sibling. Through our team of trained workers, we are able to provide these children with a much-needed break and fun opportunities – this could range from supporting them to do a fun activity together with their brothers or sisters such as baking or cooking, to taking the young carer out to do a fun activity (e.g. trampolining, bowling, or even just going for a milkshake). If you know any young carers involved in helping to look after a brother of sister who could benefit, get in touch.
Support during the coronavirus crisis
How we can help you
We offer a range of support to young carers in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk which includes:
- Carer breaks – giving you a break from your caring role, either on your own, with other young carers, or time together with your family through our BBC Children in Need funded Free To Be Me Project.
- A specialist carer helpline that can give information and advice to you and your family about all the support available to you.
- Help with planning ahead.
- Carer Friendly Tick – supporting schools, colleges and other organisations to become more carer friendly.
- Young carer voice – giving you the opportunity to have your voices heard and listened to on a local, regional and national level.
- Providing information about bursaries and grants available to you or your family.
You can find out more about what is available to you and young carers by calling our specialist carer advice line on 0345 241 0954 or you can email [email protected]
Explore more about our activities and services below.
App for young carers
Young carers need proper support around them to make sure they’re able to care for their loved ones while taking care of their own physical and mental health, and working towards a bright and healthy future.
The Young Carers Support app enables young and young adult carers in the UK to find information and advice, self-help resources, wellbeing tips and activities, plus a catalogue of support services – all in one place.
A number of young carer organisations worked with Expert Self Care Ltd, to launch the Young Carers Support app which is free and available for any young carer, or professional working with young carers to download on both Android and iOS.
Caring Together, Centre 33, Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT), have worked together to compile localised information for young carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough which is now available on the app.
Learn more about the young carers App here.
Find out more and to sign up to receive the latest information
You can simply call our specialist carer helpline on 0345 241 0954 or email [email protected]
Useful information
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- Young Carers Matter Norfolk – provide support to young carers and their families across Norfolk – Find out more
- Centre 33 – provides assessment and support to all young carers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Find out more
- Rethink: Siblings Support – When your brother or sister is experiencing mental health or emotional problems – Find out more
- Sibs – Sibs is the UK charity for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults – Find out more
