Information for Young Carers

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A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 years whose life is affected because of the need to take some responsibility for the care and/or support of a person who is ill, has a disability, is elderly or frail, is experiencing mental distress or is affected by substance abuse.

Most often this is their mum or dad, sometimes it is a brother or sister, grandparent or other relative who they live with.

Being a young carer can be hard. It means you can often:

• worry a lot about the person you care for
• find it hard to cope at school
• feel different from other young people
• spend time caring when you want to see your friends
• feel embarrassed to talk about caring or to ask for help

Young carers help in many ways by:

• doing the housework
• doing the shopping
• interpreting
• keeping an eye on someone
• washing or dressing
• giving medicines

Renfrewshire Young Carers Project can help with a lot of problems that young carers come across. They can offer:

• a chance to meet other young carers near your age at our groups
• fun and time out
• a chance to talk and to be heard
• information and advice specifically to help young carers
• support in dealing with social workers, health care workers and teachers
• befriending
• an opportunity to talk to someone in private, or to receive individual (one to one) support
• family support, for example, Welfare benefits advice, information about other organisations which provide services
• access to other services
• someone to listen to worries
• and provide emotional support

The young carers meet fortnightly in various locations and are given the opportunity to let their hair down and forget about their caring responsibilities. During group work evenings the young carers can take part in various activities from ten pin bowling to arts and crafts. As a group the young carers have also been involved in the consultation sessions which have happened in the Centre.

Contact: Renfrewshire Carers Centre on 0141 887 3643. Or, alternatively write to Renfrewshire Carers Centre, FREEPOST SCO 1535, 16 Silk Street, Paisley PA1 1HG

Other people you can approach to help at school:

• You can talk to your teachers if you need help with problems at school or want to talk about problems at home.
• Home link workers can help.
• Your school friends can listen to you.
• In secondary school, the school nurse can answer questions you have about the medical problems of the person you care for.
• Your school should have power packs where you can get information on where to get help.

This is the web site for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and will provide some more information.

Local and National Associations

• Carers Scotland 0808 808 7777
• Childline 0800 1111
• Samaritans 0847 909 090
• Childline Bullying Line 0800 44 11 11

If you would like further information, contact us:

email: centre@renfrewshirecarers.co.uk
phone: 0141 887 3643
or write to us at:
Renfrewshire Carers Centre
16 Silk Street
Paisley PA1 1HG

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