SUPPORT FOR YOUNG CARERS
AND THEIR FAMILIES
MYTIME YOUNG CARERS IS A CHARITY THAT SUPPORTS YOUNG CARERS AGED BETWEEN 5 AND 25
At MYTIME, we work with young carers and young adult carers to protect and preserve their mental and physical wellbeing, and to support them to reach their full potential. We also work with the professionals and adults around young carers, to enable them to understand the challenges that young carers face and to more effectively support them too.
Our programmes support young carers to enjoy rich and fulfilling childhoods and to lead happy, healthy lives, all while playing a vital support role within their homes and families.
WHO are YOUNG CARERs
A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled, living with a mental health condition or who misuses substances
A young adult carer is a young person aged 18-25 who cares, unpaid, for someone who may be ill, disabled, living with a mental health condition or misusing drugs or alcohol
IS YOUR CHILD A YOUNG CARER?
Many young people that have caring responsibilities may not realise that they are young carers. It's not always easy for families to identify their child as a young carer. Check out the links below for useful checklists that help to describe what being a young carer may look or feel like.
IS YOUR CHILD a
young carer?
Register as a
young carer
How we support
young carers
Young Carers
Toolkit
MEET some incredible young people and parents
Young carers often tell us that they feel alone, but we know that young carer parents and guardians can feel the same way too. The truth is, you're not. You're part of an enormous community here in the UK. Click on the video links below to hear from some of the amazing parents of the young people who we work with:
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Meet Alice & Anthony
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Meet Bradley & Natalie
As the parent or guardian of a young carer, there is help available to you and your child
Young carers have rights. It is essential to familiarise yourself with these, so your child and family are receiving the support to which they are entitled.
Young carers may be eligible for certain benefits, including financial support. The government offers two kinds of financial support for young carers.
The Carers Trust handbook is another brilliant resource that can help you understand the rights of a young carer.
REGISTERING YOUR CHILD AS A YOUNG CARER
In England, young carers have the legal right to be assessed by the local authority they live in. While the word 'assessment' may sound scary, it's actually a supportive process that can allow you and the person you care for to access some additional help. By contacting the local authority you live in (see contact details below) you can get in touch with someone from their young carer team and arrange for an assessment to take place.
What to expect
Normally this process involves an initial phone call, so that your local authority can find out a bit about you and your situation. The young carer team will then make a decision about what happens next. Next steps might involve a conversation with you on your own or with the person you care for.
LEARN MORE
GIVING YOUNG CARERS THE OPPORTUNITIES
THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES
MYTIME PROGRAMMES FOR YOUR CHILD
MYTIME is dedicated to supporting young carers, whether that’s through education and advocacy in schools, whether it's by providing young carers with the downtime they need, or whether it's by helping to prepare them for further education or work in the future.
We provide:
Opportunities to unwind, experience new things and meet other young carers on our activity days
Fun breaks away at our R & R Retreat Centre on the Jurassic Coast
An online youth group where your child can come together with other young carers
Support to your child's school so that they can better support your child
An Employability Programme to help your child find their way into further education, training or work
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN TAKE
PART IN ONE OF MYTIME'S PROGRAMMES:
MAKING MEMORIES
ZOOM YOUTH GROUP
Learn more
These weekly online sessions for young carers aged 5 and above feature activities ranging from arts and crafts to baking to themed parties. Sessions allow young carers to relax and have fun, all from within their own home.
MAKING MEMORIES
ACTIVITY DAYS
Learn more
Hosted during school holidays, these action-packed days give young carers a chance to try new things. From rock-climbing to archery, from cookery to ice-skating, there's a whole range of activities to take part in.
MAKING MEMORIES
RESIDENTIAL RETREATS
Learn more
Created especially for young carers, these retreats take place several times a year. Young carers spend 3 days at our amazing centre on the Jurassic Coast, taking part in a variety of activities with other young carers.
EMPLOYABILITY
PROGRAMME
Learn more
An 8-week course designed specifically for young carers aged 16 – 25, offering practical tools, workshops and guidance from experts to support and help young carers access further education, training or employment.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
We know that your child's caring responsibilities can impact you emotionally. Below, we have collated some useful links and sources of support to help parents of young carers get the advice and help they need.
We also have a young carers toolkit, which features a comprehensive list of resources that you can share with your child.
My Life, My Care
Offers information and advice about care, support, respite and at-home care services available in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch
Website: https://www.mylifemycare.com/
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.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/
You can also use their carers service search to find your nearest respite service.
(https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Carers/LocationSearch/1796)
My Life My Care
Offers information