Young carers - support and advice

If you're under eighteen years old and look after another person at home, you are a young carer. If so, you're not alone. It's estimated there are 50,000 young carers in the UK.

You may be looking after a parent or another relative, like a sister or brother.

You may be looking after someone because:

• they're disabled
• they have a long-term illness
• they misuse drugs or alcohol
• or because someone else is finding it hard to cope with being a parent or carer

As a young carer you may:

• find that you are not able to go out with your friends
• be confused or angry about the situation at home
• be having difficulties at school or college because of your responsibilities at home
• feel alone and unable to talk to anyone about your situation
• need help with the caring

If you would like some help or support, we may be able to provide it

Help and support

We may be able to help and support you.

Do not be worried about contacting us. Your well being as a young person is our first concern. We'll want to involve you in any decisions about the help you need.

We can provide information and advice about available help. To find out if we can help we'll need to do an assessment. This will be done by a social worker. They will talk to you about your life, the caring you do and the help you might need.

Contact us

If you want to get in contact with us:

• Telephone: 0117 903 1414

When you contact us we'll take no action without telling you and getting your agreement - unless your own or another person's safety is at risk.

Bristol Young Carers

Bristol Young Carers can:

• support you to find and get the help you need
• provide information, advice and support
• help if you need a break from caring. Do not feel guilty about wanting a break, whether for a couple of hours a week, overnight or for a longer period
• arrange fun activities you can take part in with other young carers

The Bristol Young Carers project is part of the Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre.

To contact the project:

Email: lint@carers-bs.org.uk
Phone: 0117 958 9980
Fax: 0117 965 5847
Website: www.carers-bs.org.uk and www.bsgyc.org.uk

Or write to: The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2QQ

Emergencies

If you need help, outside normal office hours, then contact one of the following:

• NHS Direct on: 0845 46 47
• Emergency Duty Team on : 01454 615165