Young Carers

Who Young Carers Are

Young Carers are people under the age of 18, who look after someone who is unwell or disabled. Usually the person they care for is a member of their family. As a Carer you may help with:

Help someone get around the house – lifting them up, helping them up or down stairs, or helping with physiotherapy.
Help someone look after themselves – dressing, washing, and going to the toilet.
Help with medication – giving tablets or injections or counting medication.
Housework – doing all or most of the cooking, cleaning, or shopping.
Look after money – paying the bills or collecting benefits/Money.
Look after siblings – putting them to bed, walking them to school, or supporting emotionally.
Emotional support – keeping someone calm, or just having to be there to make sure they are okay.
Supporting at medical appointments.
Interpreting for someone with a hearing or speech problem, or someone who doesn’t speak English.

Tameside Young Carers Project

Tuesday - Week one	Wednesday - Week one	Thursday - Week one
Primary Group: Mixed group of males and females aged 8-11 from Audenshaw, Denton, Droylsden, Hattersley, Hollingworth and Hyde areas (To cope with demand).	Primary Group: Mixed group of males and females aged 8-11 from Ashton, Mossley and Stalybridge area (To cope with demand).	Girls Group: A group for female young carers aged 12-18
Tuesday - Week two	Wednesday - Week two	Thursday - Week two
Year 7 & 8 Group: Mixed group of males and females aged 12-14 from all over the Borough.	Focus Group: A small group session which focuses on specific pieces of work. (Cooking/budgeting, sexual health, online safety).	Year 9+ Group: Mixed group of males and females aged 15-18 from all over the Borough.

Group sessions are run fortnightly (during term time only) 16:00 – 18:00

Support Available from the Young Carers Project:

One to one support is available on request from family, schools, or other professionals. This support can be specific to the need of the young person.
Half term activities and residential trips.
Opportunity to meet other young carers who have similar roles and increase their friend base.
Schools are made aware that the young person is a young carer and can access support in school.

Refer a young person to the Young Carer Project:

Self-referral from parent, schools, other professionals. (Consent needs to be gained from the parent before a referral can be sent) Young Carers Referral Form 2019
All young people are eligible for a young carer assessment if a family member or professional feel that they could meet the criteria for support.

Young Carer Assessment:

The young carer assessment is carried out with the young person ideally at school, but can be completed at the family home.
The assessment involves questions to establish the level of caring responsibilities a young person has, and to see if they meet the threshold to qualify for the Young Carer Project.
Once the assessment is completed, an additional visit to the family is needed to complete all paperwork, and to explain how the service can support the family and young carer.

For more information about the project, please contact us at:
Hyde Youth and Community Centre
Bennett Street
Hyde
SK14 4PP

Tel: 01613425463

Email: young.carers@tameside.gov.uk

Young Carers Mental Health

Now and again it's OK to feel low, stressed, worried. But if those feelings don't go away and begin to affect your day-to-day life, then you will probably need to seek help. If you're worried about things and not sure who to talk to, then there are organisations offering help:

Young Minds is a charity for young people committed to improving mental health. It will explain what might be causing your problem, and offer guidance about what to do next.

Mind offer a 'Young Person's Introduction to 'Mental Health''. Information includes the meaning of mental health and mental illness, plus there are sections on understanding certain types of mental health. A separate section has been devoted to 'Young Carers' relating to their 'Fears and Concerns'.