Young Carers Many young people do not realise that they are Young Carers!

A Young Carer is… A young person under 18 years old who looks after a mum, dad, brother or sister or other relative who has:  an illness  a disability  a mental health problem  a problem with drugs or alcohol misuse Helping with tasks usually done by an adult e.g. cancer, epilepsy e.g. learning difficulties, arthritis e.g. depression, phobia e.g. school phobia e.g. can’t stop using drink or drugs

I’m Simon age 12. I live with my mum and sister Sarah, age 7. Mum has bad arthritis and asthma. On bad days, mum is so ill she finds it difficult to walk. I often have to call out an ambulance for mum, if she has fallen or had a bad asthma attack. Meet Simon who is a Young Carer…

 are bullied  don’t tell anyone they look after someone  miss school because of their caring role Many Young Carers…

Helping with tasks usually done by an adult  Bathing, dressing, toileting  Listening, shoulder to cry on  Giving medecine or injections  Cooking, cleaning, shopping, ironing and more… What Young Carers do…

Sad Angry Upset Tired Muddled up Worried Guilty Low & moody Happy & rewarded Lonely or ‘different’ That no-one understands They want a break They need some fun Unappreciated Young Carers sometimes feel…

Help for Young Carers Help from: School, Local Young Carers Service and other agencies

If you think you are a Young Carer you can… Talk to your school ‘ Young Carers Co-ordinator’ Name of Primary Name of Co-ordinator Talk to any Teacher at school Log on to:

In My Shoes: Lewisham Young Carers Vdua8 Slides by J Malcolm