Who are young adult carers?
Young carers are young adults aged 18 – 25, who help care for another person. This may be someone in their family, i.e. a parent, grandparent, sibling or other relative, who needs looking after because they have a physical disability, a mental health condition, a learning disability, a drug or alcohol related illness, a sensory impairment or any long-term illness or condition.
Some of the roles undertaken by young adult carers may include:
- Helping the person they care for get dressed or washed
- Helping with housework, cooking or shopping
- Helping a family member with their medication
- Providing emotional support
- Helping a sibling with a disability.
The Effects of Caring
Being a carer is not easy and often taking on these extra responsibilities can affect friendships and relationships, learning and development, health and wellbeing or future career choices.
Some of the difficulties young adult carers may face are:
- Worrying about the person they care for
- Increased levels of stress or anxiety
- Feeling alone and different from everyone else
- Feeling that there is no one to talk to who understands
- Lack of time and opportunity to take part in social activities and have a break
- Difficulties with college or university and keeping up with revision and coursework
- Young adult carers may also struggle with financial difficulties or finding employment.
How can we help?
Caring for someone can be very isolating, worrying and stressful. If you think of yourself as a carer, you should not have to do so much caring that it makes you upset, unwell or miss further education.
It is important to know that there is help and support available to you. Following a Carers Assessment, the Dudley Young Adult Carers team can provide –
- Free, confidential, one-to-one support with a dedicated worker
- Information and advice
- Signposting and referral to other agencies who can offer support
- Training sessions and workshops
- Emotional support through counselling
- Support and help with transitions to college/university or employment
Coronavirus Update
The latest Governement guidance for young carers and young adult carers has been designed to help carers understand the changes they need to make and signposts the help available during the coronavirus pandemic.
Contact Us
If you would like more information, or to speak to someone about how we could support you, please call 01384 818 723 or send an email to info@crossroads-caringforcarers.org. Alternatively, complete our online referral form and someone will call you back.