Parents Resource Toolbox

Bereavement

If you lose someone close to you, it's essential to talk to someone and find support to help you with your feelings.

• Mosaic offer support to bereaved children and families in Dorset, you can find out more about their services here.
• Contact: 01258837071 or get in touch with Childhood Bereavement Network

Help in the home and respite care

Sometimes we can't do it all, and that's ok. My Life, My Care offers information and advice about care, support, respite and at-home care services available in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

If you're not based in Dorset don't worry, you can check out the NHS social care and support guide here they've got lots of great tips on community care and how to look after someone whilst taking care of yourself too.

You can also use their carers service search to find your nearest respite service.

Benefits

The government offers two kinds of financial support for young carers, find out more here

Your Rights

Young carers have rights and are entitled to an assessment. It is essential to familiarise yourself with what these are to help you decide your child's role as a young carer and your future. You can find out what their rights are here.

The Carers Trust handbook is also a brilliant resource to help you understand the rights of a young carer, you can find it here.

Transport Services

You may be entitled to use community transport to help you get to appointments. My Life My Care and Dorset Health Care offer information on eligibility and community transport service providers.

Find out more here:

My Life My Care - Community Transport

Dorset Health Care - Patient Transport Services

Holidays and breaks

At MYTIME we have a fantastic Rest & Recovery Retreat Centre for young carers located on the Jurassic Coast. Here young carers can enjoy outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking and rock-climbing.

We also offer memory-making days out for young carers based in Dorset. Whether your child comes for a stay at the centre or out for the day, they will get the opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities and the chance to meet other young carers.

Get in touch with your child's school, support worker or local young carer service to find out more.

If you're looking for a family holiday Carers Trust, have some beneficial information here 

Supporting your child through education, employment and training

At MYTIME Young Carers, we take an educational approach to supporting young carers so we'll be able to share tips with your child's school on how to best help them, using our School Support Programme.

We also offer an Employability Programme for young carers aged 16-25 to help them find meaningful and supportive employment or education pathways. We will help them to navigate caring for someone whilst working or in education. Get in touch with our Employability Programme Director Emma Fry to find out more: eyoungcarers.org  

Finding your nearest young carers service

Young carers are incredible, and that's why the UK has many amazing young carer charities offering support, respite and guidance for young carers.

Find your nearest young carer service here 

Stroke support services

If you or someone your child helps to care for has suffered a stroke, you can find access to local services here 

If you're living in the Dorset area, the Different Strokes group meet on the third Wednesday of every month and offer support for stroke survivors and their families. You can find out more about them here

Protecting yourself and the person you care for during COVID-19  

We understand that this is a worrying situation and we at MYTIME Young Carers want to reassure you we are thinking of you and your family at this challenging and confusing time.

There's so much information being circulated online at the moment we wanted to make sure you have a safe place to go to find out what's really happening. Here's the latest update from UK Government.