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.

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Did you know that an estimated
700,000 young carers are living in the UK?

Schools

Young carers can be as
young as 5 years old

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1 in 12 secondary school students
have caring responsibilities

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?

FIND OUT MORE

Are You a Young Carer?

Register as a
young carer

FIND OUT MORE

Register as a Young Carer

How we support
young carers

FIND OUT MORE

How We Support You

Young Carers
Toolkit

FIND OUT MORE

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:

Meet Alice & Anthony

Meet Bradley & Natalie

As the parent or guardian of a young carer, there is help available to you and your child

Circle Help and Support

help-support

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.

LEARN MORE

Circle Financial Assistance

benefits-for-you

Young carers may be eligible for certain benefits, including financial support. The government offers two kinds of financial support for young carers.

LEARN MORE

Circle Your Rights

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The Carers Trust handbook is another brilliant resource that can help you understand the rights of a young carer.

LEARN MORE

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:

arrow-right-triangle-blk  Opportunities to unwind, experience new things and meet other young carers on our activity days

arrow-right-triangle-blk  Fun breaks away at our R & R Retreat Centre on the Jurassic Coast

arrow-right-triangle-blk​​​​​​​  An online youth group where your child can come together with other young carers

arrow-right-triangle-blk​​​​​​​  Support to your child's school so that they can better support your child

arrow-right-triangle-blk​​​​​​​  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:

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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.

Zoom Groups

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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.

Zoom Groups

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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.

Residential Retreat

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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.

Employability

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 c