Young Carers
Am I a young carer?
Young Carers are children and young people from all sorts of families and backgrounds who help to look after someone in their family who is ill elderly frail, has a disability, is experiencing mental distress or is affected by substance abuse or HIV/AIDS.
What do Young Carers do?
Young Carers can be involved in many different caring tasks. They may help with housework or shopping or they look after their brothers or sisters. They may carry out personal tasks such as taking someone to the toilet or helping them have a bath. Often Young Carers are there to listen and offer emotional support to the person they are calling for and other family members.
How can this affect Young Carers?
Some Young Carers can feel isolated and lonely; they feel different from their friends and do not have time to spend with them as they are busy helping out at home. Young Carers can find it difficult to concentrate at school or are unable to hand in their homework in time because of commitments at home.
What can the Carers Centre offer?
The Project offers both group work and one-to-one support for Young Carers age 5 to 18 and aims to give Young Carers the chance to have some fun and time-out and an opportunity to meet other young people in similar situations. We can also offer support with concerns at home and school by providing information and advice. Referrals can be made to the Project by anyone, including Young Carers themselves. The groups are popular and there can be waiting lists from time to time.
Our groups and one to one support can offer the Young Carer
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time away from your caring role
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the chance to have fun
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the chance to meet other young people
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a chance to learn new skills
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information about benefits, rights and service
What sort of thing do the Young Carers Support Groups Do?
There are six groups which meet meet for 6 weeks then off for 6 weeks at the Carers Centre in Paisley. The group meets in the evenings from 6pm - 8pm and activities are varied; one week might involve arts and crafts, the next, a visit to the cinema or to Xscape in Braehead.
Who is a young carer worker?
If you attend the Young Carer groups or receive one to one support from the Carers Centre, you will have the chance to talk to a Young Carers Worker. They listen to you and help with any problems you are going through. They can, if you like, speak to others such as social workers or teachers so you can be supported in your caring role. A Young Carers Worker with always respect what you say and not tell other people about your situation unless you agree. (However, if you say something that makes them think you are at risk, they will have to pass this information on.)
Support in Schools
If you are a young carer attending either Johnstone High school or Gleniffer High school you can have the opportunity during your lunch hour to pop in and meet Martine, one of our worker, this can be to ask for advice or support or just to have a chat.
Johnstone High - 1st monday of every month in room off the library
Gleniffer High - 1st wednesday of every month - Room F1. 609
If you do not attend these schools or if you would like some individual support (this can be help with homework, a chance to talk over concerns or probelms) we can also arrange this with your school.
What do Young Carers say about the support provided by the Carers Centre?
'It's fun going to the Young Carers Group becuase it helps you learn how to treat others. I like going because you get to go places and do stuff like games, art and go to the cinema.' Hannah aged 11
'I help my brother who's seven - he's autistic. I help him but I like the group becuase it gives me time away from my brother.'
Email youngcarers@renfrewshirecarers.co.uk for more info.
Others who can help
www.youngcarers.net is a useful website that offers practical info about a lot of issues relevant to young carers. It explores feelings young carers may experience, offers advice on how you can look after yourself and has forums, chat, games and more! Check it out!
Are you a Young Carers Worker? Click here for useful information
