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 on eligibility and community transport service providers.
Website: https://www.mylifemycare.com/article/4858/Community-transport
Dorset Health Care - Patient Transport Services
Offers information on community transport service providers.
Holidays and breaks
If you're looking for a family holiday, the Carers Trust have some beneficial information: https://carers.org/getting-a-break/holidays
Finding your nearest young carers service
The UK has many amazing young carer charities offering support, respite and guidance for young carers. Find your nearest young carer service here: https://carers.org/help-and-info/carer-services-near-you
If you need urgent advice or support
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Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
If you feel overwhelmed or are struggling to cope, this Crisis Messenger Service is free, confidential and offers 24/7 text message support service
Text: AFC to 85258
Samaritans
Giving people someone to talk to. You can ring at any time of the day or night. They’ll help you and listen to how you’re feeling.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Shout
Provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone struggling to cope. They can help with issues including suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, abuse, self-harm, relationship problems and bullying. A trained volunteer will listen and work with you to solve problems.
Text ‘Shout’ to 85258
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Provides support to children and young people, sharing clear, simple advice and resources. ‘On My Mind’ aims to empower young people to make informed choices about their mental health and wellbeing through advice, support, tips and self-care strategies.
Websites: https://www.annafreud.org/coronavirus-support/
and https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/
Text: AFC to 85258
Every Mind Matters
Offers expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, including sleep, self-care, and dealing with change.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/everymind-matters/
Kooth
Free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing community, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. It includes: a magazine, discussion boards, messages or live chat with their team and a daily journal you can fill in.
Website: https://www.kooth.com/
Switchboard LGBT+
This helpline is a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. They help people to explore the right options for them through support on the phone and through email and instant messaging service. Website and web chat: https://switchboard.lgbt/
Phone: 0300 330 0630
Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt
The Proud Trust
A life-saving and life-enhancing organisation that helps LGBT+ young people empower themselves, to make a positive change for themselves, and their communities.
Website: https://www.theproudtrust.org/
Carers Allowance
Carers allowance is for young carers who meet the following criteria:
- you look after someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit
- you look after that person for at least 35 hours a week
- you are aged 16 or over
- you are not in full-time education
- you don’t earn over £128 a week (after deductions)
- you satisfy UK presence and residence conditions
Note: The Carers Allowance can impact other benefits the person who is being cared for is claiming
Details on how to apply can be found on the Carers UK website.
PIP Payments
These are not necessarily for young carers, but they are for the people they care for who meet the following criteria:
- a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
Details on how to apply for PIP payments can be found here:
Personal Independence Payment - Citizens Advice
Leonardo Trust
Leonardo Trust can help young carers who meet the following criteria:
- An unpaid carer who lives in Dorset
- An unpaid carer who is caring for a sick or disabled relative or friend
- The carer who is caring for a substantial amount of their time
- A carer doesn’t have to be registered with social services
- A carer receiving/not receiving benefits
- A carer with/without savings
They can help with the following:
- Respite breaks & short holidays
- Cash crisis donations up to £300
- Home services (ironing, gardeners, maintenance and repairs)
- Home improvements
- Tuition fees for external educational learning or training courses
- Domestic Appliances
- Installation of access equipment
- Social and leisure activities
- Public events
- Professional services
- Any aspect of a carers life deemed suitable by the Trustee
More information can be found here:
The Leonardo Trust – Lean on Leonardo
To apply for the grant, use the form below, which MYTIME can help with if needed:
Individual Grant Application On-line Form – The Leonardo Trust
Mosaic
Offers support to bereaved children and families in Dorset: https://mosaicfamilysupport.org
Childhood Bereavement Network
Includes support, advice and resources on supporting a bereaved child or young person, including content specific to COVID-19 with a hub for professionals supporting bereaved children.
Website: https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Provides support to children and young people dealing with loss and bereavement and signposts to bereavement organisations and local support.
Websites: https://www.annafreud.org/
and https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/dealing-with-loss-and-bereavement/
Text: AFC to 85258
Every Mind Matters
Offers expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, including sleep, self-care, and dealing with change.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/everymind-matters/
Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond
This programme focuses on finding and reaching out to vulnerable children around the country who are experiencing negative impacts on their health and wellbeing, as well as those at risk of harm.
Website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond
Everyone’s Invited
A movement committed to eradicating rape culture. Trigger warning for survivor testimonies: Rape and sexual assault, abuse (physical, mental, emotional, verbal, sexual), eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or suicidal ideation, violence, child abuse and paedophilia.
Website: https://www.everyonesinvited.uk/