Young Carers

We have recently appointed someone to develop our work with Young carers and we are preparing to open a new Young Carers centre, separate to the adult Centre, in the coming months.

 

Personalised Breaks for Young Carers

 

The Carers Centre is pleased to announce that we are introducing Personalised Breaks for Young Carers aged between 8 and 18 years old.

Although our main service has always been for adult carers, we are aware there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of young people in St. Helens who provide care to someone in their family.

We are now able to offer 8 -18 year old young carers the opportunity to apply for a personalised break. This can be anything that gives the young person a break , for example horse riding lessons, cinema tickets etc.

In the future we aim to offer more direct support including group activities and one to one support and we are working on obtaining funding to enable this to happen.

If you are aware of any young carers between the ages of 8 and 18 who may be eligible for a break then they can ask for a registration form and break application from the Centre.

They will need to be supported by a professional and/or school and also have their parents consent.

 

Who Are Young Carers?

Young Carers are children and young people under 18 whose life is restricted by the need to take responsibility for a person who is chronically ill, has a disability, is experiencing mental distress, is affected by alcohol and/or substance misuse or is elderly or infirm. The person they may be caring for could be a parent, brother or sister, grandparent or other relative who is disabled, has some chronic illness, mental health problem or other condition connected with a need for care, support or supervision