Essex Young Carers

Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old who provide regular and on-going care to another person who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances.

Young Adult Carers are aged between 16 – 24, and can also access support from this Service.

Many young people don’t see themselves as carers and may not realise there is practical and emotional support available in Essex.

You may be a young carer if you:

• care for a family member, because of illness, disability or old age
• help someone with bathing or dressing, going to the toilet or getting into/out of bed
• need to cook for your family
• look after money or organise the family budget
• help anyone to take medication regularly
• collect prescriptions or benefits on behalf of someone else or go shopping for the family
• look after brothers or sisters, by taking them to school, doing their laundry, or cooking their meals
• take care of housework, such as dusting, hoovering, washing or ironing
• speak on behalf of someone who has difficulty speaking or communicating for themselves
• translate or interpret for someone at home

They offer offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with you around your need for help and the caring you do.